Heart of Midlothian

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Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken: "Yeah, like you said, it's open, and you can see that it's also a good side we play against.

"I think we showed the next step today, I'm really proud of the players because not only were the intentions good with the ball, but there was a lot of energy, intensity in the game and also without the ball.

"When I see the numbers now, physical parameters, it's nice to see because I think they never did it before and we're making steps in that way also.

"That's what I like to see, an energetic style of play.

"They did really good today, especially in the second half and coming back from 0-1 is also showing the mentality they have and the team spirit they show without panicking, just play the game, do the things with the game plan we wanted to play.

"Like I said, I'm really proud of the players, it's just a pity that we don't have the bonus to go to Vienna next week."

"I think it needed just a little bit more conviction.

"Some situations we doubted to put pressure on in some moments and we showed that we don't have to be scared because when you're scared you get beaten.

"The conviction was there in the second half and the push was there and we scored some nice goals and we didn't give too much away.

"All good, but we cannot back down 1% next week because otherwise we will be beaten.

"But when we can show this again, we make an extra step in conviction and knowing what we want and how we want to do it, then the belief is there that we can reach the league phase."

A late Rapid Vienna goal cancelled out a 30-yard screamer from teenager James Wilson and denied Hearts a comeback victory in the first leg of their Conference League play-off at Tynecastle.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

As the summer transfer deadline edges nearer, the Hearts squad Wouter Vrancken has assembled is beginning to take shape.

Most of the new additions - there have been 11 in total - are finally settling in and beginning to show the talents that brought them to Tynecastle.

There have been a number of standout performances, with Tom Renaud and Calvin Miller in particular catching the eye.

Goalkeeper Beau Reus looks to have a real presence and hopefully when a settled defence becomes available, he can prove to be a strong backbone of the team.

Tonight at Tynecastle would be the perfect opportunity to show the supporters exactly what this new-look Hearts side can do.

Rapid Vienna stand between Hearts and a place in the Conference League, and with another sell-out crowd ready to roar them on, the atmosphere is sure to be special.

The Austrians arrive in fine form having scored eight without reply in their weekend league win over Grazer AK. It was their seventh straight victory this season, so the winning mentality is clear.

Danish striker Tonni Adamsen only joined the club in the summer from Silkeborg, but the 31-year-old has found his form quickly, scoring four of Rapid's goals at the weekend.

They also have experience of the Conference League, having competed in the competition last season, although they managed only one point from six games.

This is the last chance saloon for Hearts to continue their European adventure. Rapid will provide a stern test, but they are no Benfica or Sturm Graz.

This is a tie Hearts can win, and a victory - preferably with a clean sheet - at Tynecastle would be the perfect way to head to Austria next week with confidence high.

The players have already shown glimpses of what they can offer. Now is the time to produce it.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hearts defender Jamie McCart says the team's steady improvement in recent weeks provides the confidence they can overcome Rapid Vienna and reach the Conference League proper.

McCart's return to the starting XI has coincided with a three-game unbeaten run as Wouter Vrancken's methods begin to take hold after his reign began with four defeats on the bounce.

Speaking before Thursday's play-off first leg at Tynecastle, McCart said: "I think you've seen a slow progression with the team, especially in the last few weeks we're looking a lot better.

"When you're in a European game you've got to go in with confidence because you know you're playing top opposition and you've got to be positive."

Rapid arrive in Edinburgh on the back of an 8-0 league victory over Grazer AK and McCart says Hearts are fully aware of the challenge they face.

"The manager's done quite a lot of work on them with us, but also I think we've got to focus on ourselves, especially being home leg first at Tynecastle," he added.

"We want to get the fans right behind us, generate a positive atmosphere and have a positive result to take back to Austria. That would be ideal.

Hearts were beaten heavily by Sturm Graz and Benfica in their previous European ties, but McCart believes those experiences can help the team deal with the demands of facing another strong opponent.

He said: "It's shown in the games, we've had spells, we've been really good, but at this level if you switch off, they can take the game away from you very quickly.

"That was shown away in Austria and Lisbon. There's a couple of quick-fire goals and the tie can be pretty much over,so as a team we've got to draw from that experience and learn from it.

"As a team we want European football, so the target is to get through the tie. I think it would be brilliant for the club and the fans to look forward to, but we know it's going to be a tough tie so we've got to be at our best."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Wouter Vrancken has been speaking to the media before Hearts host Rapid Vienna in the Conference League play-off first leg on Thursday.

Here are the key points:

• The Tynecastle boss confirms a move for Rhode Island FC striker JJ Williams is "happening on the background" but Vrancken is keen to focus on the current squad amid a hectic run of games.

• Harry Milne and Laurent Mendy are doubts but the latter could be fit for next week.

• On free-scoring Rapid, Vrancken says they are "better on the ball" than fellow Austrians Sturm Graz, who defeated Hearts 6-0 in Champions League qualifying.

• He adds: "A good team. Like Sturm Graz, they want to also press high. They have a strong pressure style. Rapid has the physicality, but there's also the qualities to play. You see it also in their games, you see also the goals they score."

• Hearts have to "go all in" on their last chance to secure league-phase football, with Vrancken saying: "It's very important. Everybody wants to play in Europe in those league phases. For the club it's also important. Also financially probably, but this is something for other people. But I think the sporting side of it, every player, every coach wants to play as far as possible in Europe."

• Vrancken says Hearts - now unbeaten in three games after losing the first four - are improving all the time but will have to be "almost perfect" to get past Rapid.

• On fellow Belgian Sebastien Pocognoli's appointment as Scotland boss, Vrancken says: "Yes, for sure it was a surprise. Also in Belgium. I know him pretty good because I played with him as a player in Genk. He's a good guy, 100%. He did some really good things with Union [St-Gilloise], let's hope he can show the same things with Scotland. He can call me when he wants. He has my number."

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Goalkeeper Liam McFarlane has signed a contract extension with Hearts until summer 2029.

The 21-year-old is currently on loan at Championship side Partick Thistle after previous stints at East Fife and Alloa.

Although still to appear for Hearts' first team, the highly-regarded Scotland Under-21 international was given the opportunity to go to the World Cup with Steve Clarke's senior squad as a training goalkeeper earlier this summer.

Greg Playfair
Fan writer

After scoring 11 goals in the past three games, it's fair to say Hearts are buying into Wouter Vrancken's attacking philosophy.

The "organised chaos" now looks more like organised attacking play. That shift has produced 32 efforts on goal across the Dundee United, Benfica and Inverness Caley Thistle matches, with half of them on target.

Encouragingly, most of the attackers have impressed during this run. Josh McPake and Calvin Miller have strengthened their claims for starting places with goals and assists, while Sabah Kerjota, the Albanian magician, has added creativity and end product after former boss Derek McInnes kept one of his best tricks up his sleeve last season.

The early scrutiny on Vrancken, after defeats in each of his first four games, has quickly faded. The main question now is whether he can guide us into the Conference League proper.

I'm expecting goals across both legs of the play-off with Rapid Vienna. Their 8-0 home win over Grazer last weekend kept them top of the Austrian Bundesliga and they look likely to be as formidable as Sturm Graz. Even so, we are in better shape for this tie than we were a month ago.

I don't have many concerns in the attacking third, aside from the lack of a clear starting number nine.

Defensively, we still need to tighten up, but there are signs of progress. Jamie McCart and Oisin McEntee have both delivered strong centre-half performances in the past fortnight and hopefully can carry that form into the tie against the Austrians.

If Calvin Miller starts at left-back again in Harry Milne's absence, his partnership with Josh McPake could give us plenty down that side. Both work hard, have the technical quality for intricate play, understand their defensive responsibilities, and are beginning to build a productive connection.

If we can get through Thursday night level in the tie - or better still, ahead - I'd strongly fancy us to finish the job, even though we haven't won a match outside of Edinburgh since late January.

A win in Vienna would be one for the history books, but whatever happens next, there is finally a sense Hearts are building something with real momentum.

Hearts fans, we asked for your views after Sunday's 6-2 win over Inverness CT in the Premier Sports Cup.

Here's what some of you said:

Tim: Very entertaining to watch, however looking way too vulnerable at the back. We need to get the defence sorted out.

The entertainment value is 10 out of 10 but our defensive errors will cost us against good teams.

Calum: Even if we're not *quite* defensively solid yet, you just know we'll score goals. Can't quite believe that we have such good wingers in Josh McPake, Calvin Miller (both of whom really should be getting Scotland call-ups from Pocognoli) and Sabah Kerjota. Bring a proven goal scorer in and it could be another season to remember!

Steve: 13 goals scored and 13 conceded in our last 5 games kinda tells its own story! Electric up top and suspect at the back - if we manage to tighten up in defence we are going to be a force this season.

Massive game on Thursday and we are improving every day as a team - a must win.

Amy: Conceding far too many goals, the backbone of football is being able to win 1-0.

It was a fantastic cup game today but we need to be tighter in order to progress in Europe.

Rupert: Once Claudio Braga and McPake came on I felt we got a grip of the game pretty well, our defence needs reinforcements if we are hoping to win more than we lose this season.

Small tweaks and we are looking electric. How good was Kerjota? On fire.

Hearts have made a move to sign a new striker by lodging a transfer offer for Rhode Island's American forward JJ Williams. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Monday's Scottish football gossip

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While Hearts were busy putting six goals past Inverness Caley Thistle in the Premier Sports Cup, their next opponents, Rapid Vienna, went two better.

The Austrian Bundesliga leaders warmed up for Thursday's Conference League play-off first leg at Tynecastle with an 8-0 demolition of Grazer AK.

Danish striker Tonni Adamsen scored four of the goals, with Ercan Kara grabbing an early double.

Nenad Cvetkovic and Yusuf Demir also found the back of the net at the Allianz Stadium.

Rapid Vienna enjoy a 100% record this season, winning all three of their league outings and registering big European victories against Santa Coloma and Paide Linnameeskond.

Hearts survived a second-half scare from Scottish Championship side Inverness Caledonian Thistle before racing away to make it into the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken: "We didn't give too many chances away, only the five minutes in the second half. Then, we have to be more direct.

"In some moments, we played too naive and we let them come into the game. We sped up a little bit and it was much easier to take the game to them.

"The players [who were given a chance] have to show what is needed, especially energy. We can evaluate them. Some did good, some not that good. It's good that everyone got more minutes in the legs.

"We did what we had to do, no more than that. We created some good goals which is nice for the players and for the fans. We kept calm when we went behind, we took our moments and didn't panic.

"Rapid [Vienna] are a good team. On the ball, they are better than Sturm Graz, for example. They have a similar style, they want to press high and strong.

"In Europe, when you're the unseeded side, you always get a big team to play. We have to be fit and ready, play with conviction and believe we can take something there."

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Manager Wouter Vrancken insists Hearts "will not back down" after picking up their first win of the season last weekend.

The new boss had a tricky start to life at Tynecastle after losing his first three competitive matches in charge.

After a humbling 6-1 defeat in the first leg of their Europa League qualifier against Benfica, Hearts defeated Dundee United 4-0 in the Scottish Premiership before earning a creditable draw in the return leg of their European tie.

And on Sunday they host Championship side Inverness in the League Cup last 16 - the same stage they went out of the competition this time last season.

When asked if he's going to make significant changes to the side that starts on Sunday, Vrancken said: "First of all, you have to deserve an opportunity to play.

"That's an important point. You have to always show it in every minute you play, but also in the sessions.

"But again, we have to see with the little injuries [to players like Laurent Mendy and Harry Milne]. Can they come back? Who can play?

"But we will not back down. We have to push forward and we have to keep pushing. And it doesn't matter who is the side against you. Thursday, Benfica and Sunday, we have to show the same effort and try to do the same things with the same mentality and the same team spirit. This is for me the most important."

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Goalkeeper Kieran Wright has joined Hearts on a short-term contract until January, as head coach Wouter Vrancken looks to bolster his options between the sticks.

The 27-year-old spent more than a decade at Rangers without making a first-team appearance but did have 10 different loan spells.

His most recent game time came in the Championship with Airdrieonians in the 2024-25 campaign, while he also spent the summer on trial with Queen of the South and East Kilbride.

The shot-stopper also had spells at Livingston, Kilmarnock, Dumbarton, Alloa Athletic, Partick Thistle and Raith Rovers, with most of his appearances coming at a League 1 level.

Hearts now have four senior goalkeepers on the books. Beau Reus has replaced the departed Alexander Schwolow as number one since arriving this summer.

Ryan Fulton and Zander Clark have been deputies, although the latter has missed out on the last few squads.

Underneath them, Liam McFarlane and Harry Stone are on loan to Championship clubs Partick Thistle and Ayr United respectively.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Inverness Caledonian Thistle midfielder Graeme Shinnie says they need to harness the positivity from the start of their campaign going in to Sunday's Premier Sports Cup last 16 trip to Hearts.

The Caley Jags finished top of their group in the competition, one which included Premiership side St Johnstone, who they defeated 1-0.

They have also made a solid return to the Championship, drawing both their opening games in the second tier – against Dunfermline and Arbroath.

But Shinnie, 35, who arrived from Aberdeen this summer, is under no illusions about the size of the challenge they face in the capital.

"We are well aware of what they are and what they've got but it's a game for us to try and nullify what they've got as much as we can, and try and knock them off their rhythm," Shinnie said.

"If they play to their rhythm at home, they will be a powerhouse for anyone - like they showed last season.

"It's about trying to knock them off their game and trying to show ourselves as well and what we can do. We need to try and keep and take that positivity into Sunday and try to build on it."

Shinnie was in the Inverness side that faced Hearts in the League Cup semi-final in 2014. Under the guidance of John Hughes, they came from 2-1 down to win on penalties, despite playing the entirety of extra-time with nine men after two red cards.

Unfortunately for Caley Thistle, they couldn't pull off a similar upset in the final as they lost to Aberdeen - who Shinnie would join a year later.

"[A Cup shock] is always a possibility in these Cup games and there've been many over the years especially at Inverness that I've been involved in, but you need a lot to go for you on the day," he said.

"We need to play to the best of our ability to give ourselves a chance, we need to make a mark in the game, we don't want to go there and just defend and defend and defend – we want to attack as well.

"There is a lot that needs to go our way but we are focussed and we are ready for it."

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Goalkeeper Beau Reus says Hearts can take confidence from Thursday's 1-1 draw with Benfica despite dropping out of the Europa League.

The Edinburgh club had a mountain to climb in the match at Tynecastle having been beaten 6-1 by the Portuguese giant in the first leg of the third qualifying round in Lisbon last week.

And although they lost out on aggregate, Wouter Vrancken's side put on a much improved performance to draw 1-1 with Marco Silva's men in Gorgie.

And Reus, who joined the club this summer, hopes that performance can give the side a confidence boost heading in to Sunday's League Cup last 16 tie against Inverness.

"Of course all competitions are important for us and we want to win them all," the Dutchman said.

"On Sunday, we just have to be in the same mindset as against Benfica and fight for every ball, don't give any percentage less because then you know it will be a hard game.

"If we play like we did on Thursday, I have all the confidence that we bring it to a good outcome Sunday."

After losing to Aberdeen in their opening game of the new season, Vrancken's side beat Dundee United 4-0 last weekend with an impressive performance.

"I think the Dundee United game gave us a boost in confidence," Reus added.

"They had zero shots on target, and then we just played really well against Benfica.

"It was a hard game and I'm just really proud of the guys, how we defended together and how we attacked together.

"I think we played really well as a team. Benfica made some changes but I don't think the team was anything less than last week.

"You could see we were fighting hard and playing for every ball. Obviously last week we conceded six so the goal was to concede less and I'm happy that we only took one."

Hearts fans, we asked for your views after Thursday night's 1-1 draw against Benfica in Europa League qualifying.

Here's what some of you said:

Tim: A transformation from the Hearts team from just a few weeks ago. The effort, commitment and quality from Hearts was fantastic. Some moments of excellence and very few lapses in concentration. Most importantly, this was a team performance with coherence and organisation. And the fans totally got behind the new manager and players.

Jim: Genuine progress being made. I think we will see a very different Hearts team come the end of September now that the new manager's playing style is bedding in and the players are responding. I would still like to see James Wilson given a chance alongside Braga. We have a few excellent players nearly ready to return so I expect us to challenge again for the title and cups.

Sarah: Despite our ragtag defence set up they were as strong as the old castle rock, lest for one momentary dip in concentration. I'm buoyed for the season ahead as I see our performances slowly but surely get to the level required to challenge once again.

Angela: What a fantastic evening under the summer sun watching Hearts take on one of the giants of European football - and watching us go toe to toe. The fans are still subdued after last seasons antics and we need more of these nights in Scottish football.

Rupert: Proud of the team, they gave absolutely everything out there and they got their rewards with an impressive draw to give Scottish football a small boost on the European stage. We are a couple of signings away from challenging again this season.

David: An all round excellent team performance from Hearts and a great confidence booster for the games with Rapid Vienna and season ahead in the league. The team has matured over the last few weeks and Calvin Miller is looking like a fantastic signing.