Robbie Neilson: Hearts devastated by Europa League exit at hands of Birkirkara

Head coach Robbie Neilson admitted Hearts were devastated after being sent crashing out of Europe by a 2-1 home defeat to Birkirkara.

It looked like the Gorgie side had done the hard bit in their Europa League second qualifier by leaving Malta last week with a goalless draw.

However, after Prince Buaben had a first-half penalty saved by Miroslav Kopric, second-half goals from Christian Bubalovic and Edward Herrera made Conor Sammon's 74th-minute goal a consolation.

Neilson also pointed to the fact that Jamie Walker and Sam Nicholson hit the woodwork as he offered his analysis.

The former Jambos defender said: "Obviously we are devastated. We passed the ball well, created lots of chances, we got the penalty, hit the bar twice, couldn't get the goal and then got hit with the sucker punch. That's European football for you.

"We have a young group of players, a young group of coaches, you can't let teams score goals like that against us and that is what cost us in the end.

"These games are difficult. If we score the penalty it is a different game. We have to learn from it.

"We have a lot of guys in there who haven't played any European football before, kids who are still growing, growing with the club and you need to make sure you put this in perspective.

"Yes, we are devastated about it tonight. It took a full year's work to get here and we are upset that we have lost but now the work begins to get us back again next year."

Birkirkara head coach Drazen Besek claimed Hearts were a simple team to work out, although he spoke about enjoying some good fortune.

He said: "We expected that. It did not surprise me nor my team because we know how we work.

"Hearts played simply, with long balls, and we read how they played.

"For our team it is very important that every player on the pitch gives their maximum, but we were lucky. It is a big success."