Europa Conference League: Hearts leapfrog Fiorentina after win in Latvia

Summary

Shankland converts from spot after RFS defender penalised for handball
Gordon makes three instinctive saves & Shankland spurns great chance
Forrest adds late second on break for Scottish side
Defender Halkett returns for Hearts but leaves field injured
Hearts lost opening Group A match 4-0 to Istanbul Basaksehir; RFS drew 1-1 with Fiorentina in Italy

Live Reporting

Clive Lindsay

Hearts end Scots' Euro games on highpublished at 22:42 BST 15 September 2022
FT: RFS 0-2 Heart of Midlothian
That's all from us on another packed midweek of European fixtures for Scotland's three representatives - and we end on a high.
After another disappointment for Rangers against Napoli, Celtic managed a point away to Shakhtar Donetsk, now Hearts have got their campaign off the mark with a win in Latvia that makes up for that opening home crushing by Istanbul Basaksehir.
Join us again on Saturday, when we have four Scottish Premiership fixtures and full cards in the other three SPFL divisions before two more in the top flight on Sunday.
Image source, SNS
Positive news about Halkett?published at 22:38 BST 15 September 2022
FT: RFS 0-2 Heart of Midlothian
Meanwhile, Hearts boss Robbie Neilson believes the injury that forced centre-half Craig Halkett to be replaced before the break was not as bad as first feared.

Neilson delighted with win over 'good side'published at 22:37 BST 15 September 2022
FT: RFS 0-2 Heart of Midlothian
Robbie Neilson is not looking too far ahead while admitting that the two games against "top, top team" Fiorentina could be crucial to Hearts' chances of progressing from their group.
"We had a couple of minutes of congratulations and then it was move on to Motherwell on Sunday," the manager tells BBC Scotland.
"It wasn't your typical European game - it was end to end. It was one both teams had to win and thankfully we have done that.
"We have had a difficult patch, but we've had a few injuries and the players are still confident.
"RFS are a very good side. They went to Fiorentina last week and got a draw and the majority of their players are full internationals."
Image source, SNS
Scottish sides in Europe on the uppublished at 22:33 BST 15 September 2022
FT: RFS 0-2 Heart of Midlothian
Derek Ferguson
Former Hearts midfielder on BBC Sportsound
Quote Message
I was feeling a bit embarrassed last week, but we've had a draw for Celtic and a great win for Hearts. I'm feeling better about Scottish teams in Europe

'What a result'published at 22:27 BST 15 September 2022
FT: RFS 0-2 Heart of Midlothian
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Forrest fire blows away RFS runpublished at 22:25 BST 15 September 2022
FT: RFS 0-2 Heart of Midlothian
Here's how Hearts ended a run of six away games without a win, only their second win in eight games, and ended RFS's 10-game unbeaten run.
Image source, SNS
Image caption,
Alan Forrest scored Hearts' second goal
Image source, SNS

'We're talking about Hearts getting out the group'published at 22:21 BST 15 September 2022
FT: RFS 0-2 Heart of Midlothian
Craig Levein
Former Hearts manager on BBC Sportsound in Riga
Quote Message
If Hearts had lost this game, all sorts of problems would have come Robbie Neilson's way. Now we're talking about them possibly getting out the group. It's a huge win
Money talkspublished at 22:19 BST 15 September 2022
FT: RFS 0-2 Heart of Midlothian
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Ginnelly and Cochrane impresspublished at 22:17 BST 15 September 2022
FT: RFS 0-2 Heart of Midlothian
Allan Preston
Ex-Hearts defender on BBC Sportsound
Quote Message
I thought Ginnelly was excellent. It was one of his best performances in a Hearts jersey and I thought Alex Cochrane did well as well
'Tough game next'published at 22:15 BST 15 September 2022
FT: RFS 0-2 Heart of Midlothian
Derek Ferguson
Former Hearts midfielder on BBC Sportsound
Quote Message
It's a tough game for Hearts to look ahead to now at Fir Park. There were some tired legs out there, so they'll need to get a good rest

Gordon a role model for injured youngsterspublished at 22:13 BST 15 September 2022
FT: RFS 0-2 Heart of Midlothian
Craig Levein
Former Hearts manager on BBC Sportsound in Riga
Quote Message
It is a wonderful story and for any kid who's suffering through injury, keep pushing and all the pain can go away. You might be the next player to do what Craig Gordon has done
Halkett injury one downsidepublished at 22:12 BST 15 September 2022
FT: RFS 0-2 Heart of Midlothian
Allan Preston
Ex-Hearts defender on BBC Sportsound
Quote Message
Hearts will enjoy tonight but get back to business in an attempt to beat Motherwell on Sunday, which will be a difficult one. The real downside is that Craig Halkett looks like he has another bad injury

Hearts off the mark - and off bottompublished at 22:08 BST 15 September 2022
FT: RFS 0-2 Heart of Midlothian
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Basaksehir top group, Hearts secondpublished at 22:06 BST 15 September 2022
FT: Istanbul Basaksehir 3-0 Fiorentina
The news from Turkey means Hearts move from bottom of Group A to second thanks to another convincing win for Istanbul Basaksehir.
The Turks, who thumped Hearts 4-0 in Edinburgh last week, have stunned Fiorentina 3-0.
Winger Serdar Gurler scored twice before striker Jonathan Ikone was sent off for the Italian visitors after 76 minutes and on-loan Aston Villa forward Bertrand Traore rubbed it in in the final seconds.

'Jambos went tonto'published at 22:04 BST 15 September 2022
FT: RFS 0-2 Heart of Midlothian
Craig Levein
Former Hearts manager on BBC Sportsound in Riga
Quote Message
When the second goal went in, about £2000 worth of beer went flying up in the air. The Hearts fans went tonto!
'Brilliant night for Hearts'published at 22:02 BST 15 September 2022
FT: RFS 0-2 Heart of Midlothian
Allan Preston
Ex-Hearts defender on BBC Sportsound
Quote Message
It's a brilliant night for the club. They have an inexperienced squad at European level, but that's a great result

'Big win'published at 21:58 BST 15 September 2022
FT: RFS 0-2 Heart of Midlothian
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FULL-TIME RFS 0-2 Heart of Midlothianpublished at 21:54 BST 15 September 2022
A first Conference League win for Hearts, a first group stage victory for a Scottish team this season.
Goals from Lawrence Shankland, from the penalty spot, and Alan Forrest in stoppage time secure the Group A points for the Edinburgh side in Latvia.
But they again have much to thank Craig Gordon for as the Scotland goalkeeper again showed his worth with some fine saves.

'Forrest seals the deal'published at 21:54 BST 15 September 2022
RFS 0-2 Heart of Midlothian
Stephen Craigan
Former Motherwell defender on BT Sport
Quote Message
That's why you bring on Alan Forrest. When the game's stretched, he's got more room to work in
GOAL RFS 0-2 Heart of Midlothianpublished at 90+2
Alan Forrest
Hearts have surely clinched it!
Just when RFS were piling on the pressure, Hearts have a three against one attack on the break.
Cammy Devlin has the choice of Alan Forrest and Stephen Humphrys.
He picks the former and the winger fires low past goalkeeper Pavels Steinbors.
Image source, BBC Sport