Heart of Midlothian

We asked for your views on where Hearts still need to strengthen and what deals you would like completed before the transfer window closes.

Here's what some of you said:

Jim: I'm not actually sure where to start, our midfield is at times soft or non-existent, no player dominates play in the middle, too many second touches, goals are also a problem now, we don't frighten any team now.

Alan: Hearts are in desperate need of a second striker as back up for Lawrence Shankland.

Steve: We need to sign a new manager as a priority! We need a creative midfielder and a mobile striker, we should have gone for Kevin Nisbet. A speedy winger would be the icing on the cake, as too many mediocre players are currently in the squad.

Richard: Let's be realistic, we can't afford to bring in players every time we have a dip in form, we're not a big money buying club and the level we acquire players at means they're not sure-fire successes and there's doubts they'll do any better than the players we've already bought. Rather than bloat the squad further we need to use what we have better.

Keiren: We need another striker, Shankland's great but he won't be playing the full 90 minutes every game and every other option we have bar Liam Boyce, we seem to prefer playing down the wing.

Kenneth: Urgently require another proven striker and possibly another winger, there's too much reliance on Shankland, if he is off the pace we won't score goals.

Ian: I would love to bring back Josh Ginnelly and play him out wide, this would give us more pace in the team and he could also play through the middle when needed to contribute with goals.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

On paper, Hearts' draw looks a lot easier than the last time they were in the Conference League.

Two seasons ago, in the old group-stage format, the Jambos faced future finalists Fiorentina, a very strong Istanbul Basaksehir, and Latvian side FK RFS. Beaten comfortably both home and away by the Italian and Turkish sides, they at least got two victories against the Latvians.

However, with six different opponents this time round, there is potentially more opportunity for success.

Copenhagen away looks the hardest game. That said, Kilmarnock were very unlucky to lose 2-0 in Denmark last week and pushed their Danish opponents all the way at Rugby Park in a 1-1 draw on Thursday night.

Heidenheim at home is more of an unknown. Up until 2007, they were playing in the sixth tier of German football, where they have spent most of their history.

They won promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in 2023 and finished their maiden campaign in eighth - enough for a European spot.

Omonoia finished fifth before the split in the Cypriot league last season, before rising to third by the end of play. They count former Rangers defender Filip Helander among their squad.

Cercle Bruges are another of Kilmarnock's qualifying opponents who struggled to shake off Derek McInnes' men. A 1-1 draw in Ayrshire and then a 1-0 win in Belgium was enough to win, but the goal in that home leg was a gift from Killie. Hearts won't feel too intimidated.

Speaking of unknowns, let me introduce Petrocub Hincesti. They won the Moldovan Super Liga last season, finishing above Sheriff Tiraspol - the team that beat Real Madrid at the Bernabau in 2021 - and made it a double with the Moldovan Cup.

There's also an away trip to Dinamo Minsk. After beating Lincoln Red Imps over two legs (they lost the away leg 2-1), the Belarusian champions lost to Anderlecht in Europa League qualifying so dropped down.

Their home leg against Anderlecht was not played in Minsk, taking place over 1,000km away in Mezokovesd, Hungary.

Well then, Hearts fans. What did you make of the draw?

Away trips to Copenhagen, Cercle Bruges and Dinamo Minsk. Home ties against FC Heidenheim, Omonoia Nicosia and Moldovan side Petrocub.

Which of those are winnable? Where will you be travelling to?

Let us know your thoughts here, external.

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Goalkeeper Craig Gordon says "the better team has gone through" after Hearts were knocked out of the Europa League.

Hearts lost 1-0 to Czech side Viktoria Plzen at Tynecastle to exit 2-0 on aggregate.

Steven Naismith's men will discover their Conference League opponent's in Friday's draw (13:30 BST).

"I don't think we're far away," Gordon said.

"I think there was an opportunity to go and win the tie over the two legs but having said that I think the better team has gone through.

"We weren't good enough. We just didn't create enough, we didn't look like scoring, the better chances in the game were probably theirs.

"It's crazy stuff, I don't really know why it's happened so many times in such a short space of time but we're a good enough team to bounce back from that."

We asked for your views on Hearts' Europa League play-off defeat by Viktoria Plzen.

Here’s what some of you said:

Callum: Hearts were lacking any kind of creativity or aggression. I felt we were playing too long and sitting off Plzen far too much when they themselves looked pretty poor. Lawrence Shankland was a big miss but even with him playing, I'm struggling to see where goals are going to come from. It's frightening to see how much we have regressed since last season.

Charlie: We are carrying a surplus of players who would find it hard to hold down a place in the Scottish Championship. What message does that send out to the B team players?

Ted: Another woeful performance from Hearts. Steven Naismith must take the blame for the way they are playing - he is the manager, the defending is shocking - always doubling back and no shots on goal. How many players will he change for Sunday?

Finn: Lacking the finishing touch in the final third, all well and good getting up the park but nobody there to finish it. Liam Boyce is well past his good days so why is he starting in a must win European game? Plzen team was very beatable, absolutely unacceptable performance.

Chris: Boring, insipid, lifeless football from Hearts. We didn't look like we had any game-plan whatsoever. The players are devoid of any confidence and I can't help but feel a more experienced manager gets much more out of this team.

Keith: Another shambolic performance, players played out of position and players playing that are past their best, if we don't win on Sunday I think Naismith's time will be up.

Derr: Hearts have the players. The problem is the manager. Third biggest club in Scotland and they have given a complete novice the reins to manage this institution, the cheap option. Boyce should've been hooked after 20 minutes, his touch was awful, he was towing a caravan. Naismith comes over as a moaning, grumpy individual who blames everyone except himself for Hearts' plight.

David: I am still not convinced that Naismith is a manager to take Hearts to the next level, we finished third last season but at no point was I ever confident we would. Apart from the game against Rangers, Hearts have been second best and the manager seems unable to see that. Our most exciting players are languishing on the bench unable to make an impact.

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Hearts' Europa League bid ended with something of a whimper as their home loss to Viktoria Plzen completed a 2-0 aggregate and sent Steven Naismith's men into the Conference League.

It also extended Hearts' miserable winless start to the season, with their record now standing at five straight defeats since the opening-day draw with Rangers.

The limp home performance against a beatable Plzen side was no surprise to former Scotland goalkeeper Gemma Fay.

Speaking to the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, Fay said: "Unfortunately for Hearts fans I think it's a predictable performance based on what we've seen so far.

"Hearts look to have a good squad. They're just lacking identity.

"It's a hugely disappointing result based on the fact that I think it was a winnable game, a winnable tie, they had a real opportunity there.

"They had an opportunity to really gauge that fanbase at Tynecastle, get that 12th man on the park and they were just left wanting."

The latest defeat turns up the heat on head coach Steven Naismith, who led the club to a third-place league finish last season.

"I think the pressure on Naismith is the pressure to show us some consistency," Fay added.

"Show us what your identity is with this team. You've brought in some players, show us how they fit into your identity and the brand of football you want Hearts to play.

"How do you kick on from last year? Because every season it's about what do you do differently and what do you do better."

Steven Naismith understood the angry reaction of supporters following his Hearts side's Europa League exit at the hands of Viktoria Plzen. (Record), external

Naismith laments a lack of quality from Hearts against the Czech side. (Scotsman - subscription), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

Hearts will have to settle for Conference League football this season after defeat by Viktoria Plzen ended their hopes of playing in the Europa League.

Already trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Hearts needed to come out firing but initially played to form this season having lost their last four matches.

In fact, just as they were starting to motor in the second half after positive changes, Plzen struck the crucial blow.

Lukas Cerv calmly stroked in from the edge of the box to quell the rising noise at Tynecastle and deflate the Hearts players.

However, they have the significant consolation of a Conference League berth and will find out their opponents in Friday's draw at 13:30 BST.

Were you at Tynecastle or following the match from home? Either way, we want your views on the game - have your say here, external.

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Hearts head coach Steven Naismith: "We lacked quality in the final third, we did well to get the crowd going at the start but never had any real quality.

"Things fizzled out far too often. The game got away from us with another cheap goal, that's the story of the season so far.

"The way Plzen managed the game, defended their box and created chances showed why they are consistently in Europe.

"We were more in hope than expectation. We're not getting the quality we want. It's definitely not clicking at the moment."

Naismith adds that he is hoping Lawrence Shankland is fit to return at the weekend.

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Thomas Duncan, BBC Sport Scotland

There was a lot of talk about how Hearts had to harness the atmosphere at a packed Tynecastle to frighten Plzen and turn this tie around.

It happened a year ago against Rosenborg.

You felt the old stadium was on edge again, waiting to get involved, but the team on the pitch barely gave them anything to empty their lungs for.

The same issues which have dogged their start to the season were evident again. A lack of tempo, pace, and width.

For the second game in a row, the introduction of Yutaro Oda on the right-hand side immediately improved things as his speed injected some life into their performance.

At that point the atmosphere did start to grow and Hearts looked the more likely to score, albeit without peppering the Plzen goal. But one breakaway cost them.

Last season's comfortable third-place Premiership finish was based on good defending and Lawrence Shankland firing in 31 goals, some of which he had no right to score.

In this campaign there has already been heavy rotation, multiple changes in formation, and it feels like Hearts are struggling for an identity.

That's now five defeats in a row and just two goals scored this season.

With a heavy schedule to come between now and Christmas, manager Steven Naismith needs to find solutions quickly.

As Friday's 23:00 BST transfer deadline edges closer, where do Hearts still need to strengthen and what deals would you like completed before the window closes?

Have your say here, external.

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Gary Locke insists "one result will kickstart" Hearts' season as they look to beat Viktoria Plzen and seal a place in the Europa League.

The Jambos are yet to win a game this season and trail Plzen 1-0 after the first leg, but Locke says a Tynecastle turnaround is not beyond them.

"There's pressure on every manager, that's one thing about the job that I certainly don't miss," former captain and boss Locke told BBC Radio Scotland.

"You lose a couple of games and all of a sudden you're the worst manager in the world. if you win a couple of games, you're the best manager.

"We've not started the season how we would have liked but I thought we played well last week in the Czech Republic.

"I certainly saw enough in the tie to suggest we can go through. With a full house right behind the team, if we can score early, we’re very much right back in the tie and hopefully we can go on to win.

"Steven [Naismith] had a slow start last year and did a great job of turning it around. One result will kickstart our season and hopefully that'll come tonight."

Former Hearts and Czech Republic striker Roman Bednar believes the Tynecastle factor could be key in the Europa League play-off second leg on Thursday night against Viktoria Plzen, who lead 1-0 after an injury-time winner a week ago.

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Hearts pair Kenneth Vargas and Gerald Taylor have been called up by Costa Rica for their Nations League games next month.

Forward Vargas, 22, has earned six caps for the senior side while 23-year-old defender Taylor has played seven times and scored once in those outings.

Costa Rica face Guadeloupe on 6 September and Guatemala four days later.

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Viktoria Plzen boss Miroslav Koubek says it is "laughable" to think Hearts are a weak side despite their early-season struggles.

Steven Naismith's men are winless so far in all competitions this term, with four straight defeats following their goalless draw with Rangers on the Premiership opening day.

Plzen take a 1-0 lead to Tynecastle for the second leg of the Europa League play-off on Thursday and Koubek has pledged the Czechs won't sit on their advantage.

"The suggestion that Hearts would be a weak side is laughable," he said.

"A team that draws with Rangers in the Premiership, can they be a weak side? I think not.

"I knew it would be a hard tie and that Hearts will be difficult opponents, so we play with the utmost respect. We definitely do not underestimate anyone.

"Definitely, we want to score. We are not here to defend a 1-0 because that is no advantage. It's good to have that result.

"Hearts will not play the way they played in Plzen, they will need to push forward and be on the offensive. We expect them to be more open because of that."

Plzen have sold Czech international defender Robin Hranac to Hoffenheim since the first leg.

"It leaves a hole in the squad," said Koubek. "But everyone can be replaced. We are slightly better prepared because Hranac played at the Euros so wasn't with us during the summer."

Craig Gordon insisted he would have no worries about Hearts' ability to be competitive in the Europa League if they could overcome Viktoria Plzen in the second leg of their play-off tie on Thursday.

The Tynecastle side must overturn a 1-0 deficit against their Czech opponents to qualify for Europe's secondary tournament for the first time since its rebrand in 2009.

Manchester United, Tottenham, Lazio and Roma make up some of the teams guaranteed to be in this season's revamped competition.

If Hearts lose to Plzen they would drop into the Conference League, but Gordon is eyeing a Europa League place.

"It would be huge for everyone, for every single player, to get to that level and test yourself with some of the best European teams," said the veteran goalkeeper.

"The standard across all the European competitions is so high. You just have to look at some of the names in the Europa League this season.

"We are desperate to be a part of that and play in as big a competition as we possibly can."

Asked if he felt his club were ready to compete at such a level, Gordon said: "Yeah. How do you know? You have to go there and give it your best shot.

"It doesn't matter what competition it is, I think we can be confident of doing well, but we want to be in the biggest competition we possibly can."

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Hearts boss Steven Naismith is confident his side can reach the Europa League even if they have to do without Lawrence Shankland in the play-off second leg against Viktoria Plzen.

A knee injury makes Scotland striker Shankland a doubt for Thursday's game at Tynecastle where Hearts will look to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit.

"Definitely," Naismith said. "This season I think Kenneth Vargas has had more shots than Lawrence in all the games but it's about taking them.

"Liam Boyce has looked sharp in pre-season, he's had to be patient and we've got James Wilson who's young and eager.

"It's not just about the strikers though. We need to create good chances. That comes from guys like Blair Spittal, Yan Dhanda and Jorge Grant."

Hearts are guaranteed a further eight matches in Europe's secondary competition if they overcome the Czechs, while defeat would drop them into the Conference League.

"The reward at the end of this 90 minutes, maybe 120 minutes, is massive," said Naismith.

"It's very rarely done by teams outwith the Old Firm. We've got a great opportunity.

"We played them last week and we carried a threat and defended really well until the last action of the game, so it's within our grasp.

"We need to do things better than we have been doing domestically but it would be a fantastic achievement to get there."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Steven Naismith has been speaking to the media before Hearts face Viktoria Plzen in Thursday's Europa League play-off second leg at Tynecastle.

Here are the key lines from the press conference:

• Lawrence Shankland is a doubt for the game with an "ache in his knee from a contact injury". Naismith adds: "There is not much turnaround from the games and not much training. We will give it as long as possible and see how he is."

• Naismith says Hearts' winless start to the season stems from "conceding cheaper goals than we have in the past", but is confident in his squad.

• New signings "will make mistakes" as they take time to adapt but the Hearts boss insists the errors can be eradicated.

• Naismith accepts the criticism that comes with defeats and is "comfortable with that".

• He thinks the second leg will be a similar game to last week's 1-0 defeat, adding: "The late goal doesn’t change the tie that much. We were always going to have to score to go through."

• On whether he will change formation, Naismith says: "We will wait and see. We will put a team out that we think can win the game. Potentially we want to be a bit more aggressive at times but it will be a great night."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland is a doubt for Thursday night's Europa League play-off second leg against Viktoria Plzen.

The Scotland striker picked up a knee injury in the defeat to Motherwell on Sunday and has not trained this week.

Head coach Steven Naismith says he will give the 29-year-old as long as possible to prove his fitness for what would be his 100th Hearts apperance.

Naismith's side are aiming to overturn a 1-0 deficit against the Czech side at Tynecastle.