No excuse for Hearts’ failure

MAKE no mistake, Hearts’ exit from the Europa League was a dismal failure.

Against FC Zurich, some two-bob outfit who couldn’t even play their home leg in their own ground because they’d rented it out for a concert, they should have gone through.

Robbie Neilson’s side must do better in a Conference League group containing what should be six guaranteed points against RFS Riga.

Everyone understands Scotland’s financial limitations, but watching our bigger sides — proper, storied clubs with proper fanbases — lose out time and again to tinpot outfits is becoming soul-destroying.