Michael Stewart insists the draw Hearts got in the Conference League wouldn't look out of place in the Europa League.
The Jambos failed in their bid to reach the group stage of the continent’s second most prestigious club tournament on Thursday. Trailing 2-1 from their playoff first leg against FC Zurich, Robbie Neilson ’s team threw everything at the Swiss champions in the opening 45 minutes at Tynecastle, but couldn't find a way through.
They were hit with a sucker punch after the break when midfielder Jorge Grant was shown a second yellow for diving in the box, leaving them with an uphill task against 11 men. And their opponents took full advantage, coming out of their shell to net a crucial goal through Fabian Rohner with ten minutes left to seal their progression. But the capital club always knew that they had the safety net of the Europa Conference League.
