Hearts have it all to do in Europa Conference League Group A after a 5-1 loss to Fiorentina.
The Jambos lost 3-0 to the Serie A side last week at Tynecastle and found themselves 2-0 down inside 25 minutes on the return leg. Luka Jovic scored a header while Nathaniel Atkinson was off getting treatment before Barrie McKay was harshly judged to have committed a foul outside the box, Cristiano Biraghi converting the resulting free-kick.
It could have been so different when Stephen Humphrys cracked the post inside the opening 30 seconds but from there it was all Fiorentina. Nicolas Gonzalez and Antonin Barak scored the third and fourth before half-time and Humphrys eventually got his deserved goal. A penalty by Gonzalez sobered them further and the Jambos' Europa Conference League knockout round qualification hopes are now slim as they need to win both games against RFS and Istanbul Basaksehir and hope Fiorentina lose their closing games. Here is how we rated the Hearts players in Florence.
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Craig Gordon - 6
Made a good save early on but even the usually remarkable veteran couldn't stop the purple onslaught, despite his best efforts.
Nathaniel Atkinson - 4
Hauled off after 16 minutes with an injury in another defensive concern for the Jambos.
Alex Cochrane - 5
Played out of position in centre-back so there's some sympathy there. But that's not a role you want to do when not used against top opposition. Gave away a penalty.
Stephen Kingsley - 5
Part of the defence which folded underneath the first half onslaught. Struggled with the menacing Jovic.
Andy Halliday - 5
Made one big challenge to deny a certain goal but was then left floundering as another was scored. Tough shift, again out of position.
Peter Haring - 4
Tried to anchor the midfield but Fiorentina played it too quick for him and passed through him on multiple occasions.
Cammy Devlin - 5
Provided legs in the engine room but that was little use as he was up against it almost from kick-off. Pressed and harried but all in vain, although recovered in second half.
Jorge Grant - 4
Didn't get the ball down and when he did get a second, there was never any end product. Another who struggled with pace of the game.
Alan Forrest - 4
Balls were played to him but he couldn't hold it for any length of time. Hooked at the break.
Barrie McKay - 4
Made a couple of neat runs but like Forrest, wasn't an available out ball often enough to help ease pressure on a makeshift defence.
Stephen Humphrys - 7
A real bright spark for Hearts on an otherwise dull night. Cracked the post with a great effort inside 60 seconds and missed another before half-time, but soon the resistance crumbled. His goal was just reward.
Toby Sibbick - 6
Replaced Atkinson but Fiorentina tore down the left time after time and while standing up on some occasions, couldn't stop the floodgates opening. Applied himself well enough.
Connor Smith - 5
Brought on at half-time to get some experience of European football. Didn't do a lot wrong with Fiorentina dropping down a gear.
Kio - 5
Brought on to stabilise an otherwise fragile midfield and seemed to do a decent enough job of that.
Lawrence Shankland - 3
Brought on with 15 minutes to go but the big summer signing's chances of an impact was limited.
Euan Henderson - 3
Another youngster handed a chance and proper change in pace after time at Alloa last season. Will do him some good to experience such an occasion.
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