Hearts suffered a European defeat in Belgium, going down 2-0 to Cercle Brugge at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
Strikes from Mamine Ekemele and Gary Magnee either side of the halves were enough to clinch the win for the hosts. Lawrence Shankland also saw a late penalty go astray as Hearts went home in defeat.
The Belgians fashioned the first chance after two minutes, Thibo Somers advancing down the right before getting a quick shot off – with his effort deflecting off the leg of Kye Rowles before narrowly going behind.
Hearts’ response was swift, with Lawrence Shankland going close on ten minutes as Kenneth Vargas laid the ball into his path 25-yards out. The skipper went for goal, with his low drive forcing a diving stop from the Cercle goalkeeper.
In truth, it was a first half of low quality with neither sides truly looking creative or comfortable with the ball. Craig Gordon was called into action twice in close succession as he did well to first palm Felipe Augusto’s effort wide before tipping a good strike from Nils De Wilde over the crossbar.
Hearts’ biggest chance of the half came on 30 minutes, with Kenneth Vargas again sending a good ball to the feet of Shankland, who executed a clever backheel finish that dragged mere inches wide of the post.
Brugge delivered a gut punch to the Jambos just minutes before the half’s conclusion, Mamine Ekemele showing nice footwork to beat the Hearts defence before sliding the ball into the bottom corner beyond Gordon.
HT: Cercle Brugge 1-0 Heart of Midlothian
Hearts emerged looking more aggressive and crafted two big chances after 59 minutes. James Penrice whipped a good cross into the area, with Alan Forrest forcing an excellent save from Delanghe on the volley, with the ‘keeper able to halt Vargas’ attempt on the rebound too.
The second was largely without incident until Hearts were handed a glorious chance to equalise with ten minutes to go. A handball against Brugge opened the door for Lawrence Shankland to convert a VAR-assisted penalty decision.
A drab night for the Jambos was compounded as the skipper sent his spot kick high and wide over the bar.
With just minutes left to play, Gary Magnee dispatched the second goal beyond Gordon to seal the win for Brugge.
Hearts: Gordon, Kent, Shankland ©, Devlin, Rowles, Forrest (Boyce 86’), Boateng (McKay 74’), Dhanda (Spittal 59’), Penrice, Forrester (Oyegoke 59’), Vargas (Wilson 74’)
Subs: Clark, Kingsley, Halkett, Oyegoke, Baningime, Grant, McKay, Spittal, Wilson, Tait, Boyce, Salazar
