GOALS at the end of either half from Lawrence Shankland and Alan Forrest ensured Hearts got their Europa Conference League group campaign up and running in Latvia against Riga FS.
It will not be remembered as a classic European display during what was at times an uncomfortable evening at the Skonto stadium.
The Gorgie side, however, will not care as they went some way to making amends for the demoralising 4-0 defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir seven days earlier.
Three points in the Latvian captain were effectively a must - despite Hearts manager Robbie Neilson’s claims to the contrary - regarding their aspirations of progressing from Group A.
It should have been a more comfortable evening before Forrest sealed the win, Shankland being guilty of missing a gilt-edged chance just before the break.
A two-goal winning margin was probably harsh on the hosts, who played their part and looked particularly dangerous in the opening 45 minutes.
It was not just three points at stake, Hearts also picked up £436,000 from the UEFA prize money pot for winning.
The Tynecastle club, who face a double header against Fiorentina next, were given an official allocation of around 900 but many more made the journey, with pockets of fans also interspersed among the home sections.
On the pitch, Hearts’ personnel problems were at least showing signs of improvement.
Defender Craig Halkett and Jorge Grant were restored to the starting XI as Neilson made three changes to the team that was easily swept aside by Basaksehir.
This was Halkett’s first outing since being forced off after just five minutes into the first leg of the Europa League play-off tie against FC Zurich with a hamstring strain.
After winning his fitness battle, the centre-half was visibly gutted when his evening came to an untimely end after only 22 minutes.
He was in discomfort after trying to fend off a dangerous run from Emerson.
The point Riga extracted from a memorable result in Italy against Fiorentina in their opening group clash demonstrated that the reigning Latvian champions would be no pushovers.
And while Hearts’ desire to get bodies forward and apply pressure high up the park was admirable, they were perhaps guilty of showing some tactical naivety in leaving themselves exposed in defence against a team who had pace to burn on the counter.
This was evidenced in the opening exchanges when Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon got a superb hand to push Emerson’s shot on to the post.
It was not just the Brazilian that Hearts had to worry about. In Andrej Ilic, Riga had a proven goal scorer.
The Croatian netted against Fiorentina to take an impressive tally to 19 goals in 33 games.
It was clear chances would also come at the other end. Josh Ginnelly registered the visitors’ first attempt at goal after five minutes with a drive from distance that was palmed over by the outstretched Pavels Steinbors.
Hearts continued to look uncomfortable for large spells but they seized control when Shankland tucked away a 43rd minute penalty.
Macedonian referee Aleksandar Stavrev pointed to the spot after adjudging that Elvis Stuglis’ hand was in an unnatural position as he attempted to cut out an Andy Halliday cross.
That breakthrough sparked a frantic end to the first half that could have easily seen both teams trade goals.
Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon was twice called on to make saves to deny Tomislav Saric and Ziga Lipuscek.
At the other end Shankland then inexplicably somehow managed to fire wide with the goal at his mercy.
Ginnelly put the ball on a plate with a square pass that neutralised the goalkeeper but Shankland stabbed his effort wide of the open goal at the back post.
Whether a high-octane first half had taken its toll or it was the half-time team talk from the respective managers, what was clear after the interval was that both teams were more positionally disciplined in their approach.
Hearts tightened up at the back, plugged the gaps and were not so carefree going forward, although deliveries primarily from Ginnelly on the right flank continued to ask questions of the Riga defence.
A breakaway in the 76th minute led to Shankland getting a shot away from distance but Steinbors repelled the effort.
Stephen Kingsley and Andy Halliday were also denied by the Riga keeper.
Riga boss Viktors Morozs’ frustration got the better of him and he was shown a second yellow card on the touchline.
His mood would not have been helped by seeing substitute Forrest slot home the second after Cammy Devlin led a counter attack.
