Late Heartbreak for Hearts and Kilmarnock in European Qualifiers

Hearts and Kilmarnock faced disappointing late defeats in their European qualifiers against Viktoria Plzen and FC Copenhagen, respectively. Both teams showed resilience throughout their matches, but ultimately succumbed to late goals that left them with a bitter taste. Hearts' manager, Steven Naismith, acknowledged the disappointment of conceding late but remained optimistic about the upcoming second leg, emphasizing the importance of their home advantage at Tynecastle. Naismith noted that while the late goal was a setback, the tie remains competitive. He reflected on the team's performance, stating that their discipline and shape were commendable, particularly in the first half. He expressed confidence that the atmosphere at Tynecastle during European nights could play a crucial role in their efforts to overturn the deficit in the return match. On the other hand, Kilmarnock's Derek McInnes expressed his frustration over a controversial penalty decision that led to their defeat. He argued that the penalty awarded against his team for a challenge involving Watson and Elyounoussi was unjust, describing it as a "horrendous decision." McInnes felt that despite the penalty, his team's hard work and organization deserved better recognition, and losing in such a manner was particularly harsh. Both managers are now focused on the second legs of their respective ties, with hopes of turning around their fortunes and advancing in the competition.