Hearts boss McGlynn positive despite Liverpool defeat

Hearts manager John McGlynn insists he can take positives from his side's defeat by Liverpool in the Europa League play-off match at Tynecastle.

The visitors left with a vital away goal after Andy Webster's own goal proved the only score of the match.

However, despite conceding Hearts face a tough task to qualify for the group stages, McGlynn said he was pleased with his team.

"I think it's hard on us to lose that game," he told BBC Scotland.

"I thought we deserved a draw at least.

"I think we've got a lot of positives to take. You could see there's a lot of millions of pounds of players on that park."

McGlynn also said that his players had fulfilled the tactical plan he had laid out.

"I think we did everything we had to do, it's just a pity we couldn't keep that clean sheet," he said.

"I feel gutted for the players, they put so much into it. I don't think they deserved that."

The former Raith Rovers manager was left bemoaning his side's failure to score, despite their periods of pressure.

"We had a chance there at the death - Callum Paterson had a great shot. I think we gave the fans something to go home and say, 'well, the lads had a real go tonight'.

"It's still alive, but it's going to be a bit of a mountain to go to Anfield, and they've got guys that are even more expensive to come back in."

The Hearts boss also challenged his team to maintain the level of performance they had shown against Liverpool.

"How can we do that tonight and and lose a two-goal lead against Inverness? We've set standards and we need to keep those standards," he said.