RFS 0 Hearts 2 as Jambos up and running and Gordon…

RFS 0 Hearts 2 as Jambos up and running and Gordon shows his class in Europa Conference League clash

Hearts got off the mark in the Europa Conference League as they picked up all three points in Riga and a much needed win.

Summer signing Lawrence Shankland scored a stunning penalty in first-half stoppage time as he took his tally for the Jambos to five before sub Alan Forrest netted in added time to put opponents RFS to the sword. Robbie Neilson's men went into the away clash in Latvia on the back of six defeats in the last seven games but they were handed a pre-match boost with the return of Craig Halkett from injury.

However, his big moment turned into a nightmare as he was forced off after 22 minutes in another blow to the capital club. The visitors should have netted a second in first-half added time while ever-present No1 Craig Gordon showed his class once again with three huge saves in the first period.

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Victory coupled up with Istanbul Basaksehir's big win over Fiorentina means Hearts finish the night in second spot in the group after two games.

Here's what we learned from a night to remember on the road.

Need for reinforcements

Craig Halkett's premature end to the evening will be a major cause for concern for Hearts.

Kye Rowles is already out and still weeks away from a return and it could be a similar story for his team-mate.

Will this latest blow for Halkett force Robbie Neilson to look at his options?

He's had recent success in bringing Robert Snodgrass and Zander Clark in from the free agent market while Barrie McKay was also snapped up that way when he joined the club.