Heart of Midlothian have advanced to the league phase of the UEFA Conference League after defeating Rapid Vienna on penalties in Austria.
Hearts travelled to Vienna level on aggregate after a 2-2 draw at Tynecastle, and it was the same scoreline at the Allianz Stadion as Wouter Vrancken’s side won 4-3 on penalties.
Rapid Vienna went 1-0 up on the night and it could have went from bad to worse for Hearts’ fans after Tomas Magnusson was sent off. Instead, it seemed to be the catalyst that sparked change as Landry Kabore equalised on the night three minutes later. Calvin Miller had the Edinburgh side ahead in extra-time, but a 119th minute equaliser from the hosts sent the tie, and European football to penalties.
New goalkeeper Beau Reus saved two penalties in the shootout to extend Thursday nights in Gorgie until December.
Hearts entered European football in the Champions League QR2 thanks to their second place finish last season, but were dumped out 6-0 by fellow Austrian side Sturm Graz. Up next was no easy task in Benfica in the Europa League QR3. The tie was over after a 6-1 drubbing in Lisbon, with their 1-1 draw at Typecastle offering a mere consolation.
It must’ve seemed everything was hanging in the balance prior to the penalty shoot-out as Vrancken was faced with either a triple-elimination from Europe of the treasured league phase that comes with European riches.
Hearts will find out their Conference League opponents on Friday with the draw taking place from 12:00 BST.