Robbie Neilson was glad his Hearts players learned a Europa League lesson against Crawley Town this afternoon.
The Jambos threatened to blow the English opposition away after two Stephen Kingsley goals in the opening 17 minutes had them well in control. But the English League Two outfit restored parity after the break thanks to Jack Payne and Dom Telford. Neilson ’s squad didn’t return from Wednesday’s trip to Tranmere until the early hours of the morning on Thursday, and the Tynecastle boss felt that contributed to a tired second half display.
But he insists his charges will have to find ways to manage that this season ahead of their Euro adventures. Hearts are 180 minutes away from the Europa League group stages, entering the competition at the play-off round next month. Even if they are knocked out of that, they drop into the Europa Conference League. It will be a punishing Thursday-Sunday schedule either way, and Neilson knows his team can't turn in flat performances when they return from the continent for Premiership duty.
