Hearts were taught an Italian lesson by Fiorentina at Tynecastle in the Europa Conference League.
The Jambos lost 3-0 in Group A, with Rolando Mandragora, Christian Kouame and Luka Jovic scoring for the Serie A outfit. Robbie Neilson ’s side were reduced to 10 men after 48 minutes when defender Lewis Neilson was sent off for a last-man tug on Jovic. The defeat leaves Hearts third in the group, a point behind the Italians and one ahead of Latvian minnows RFS - before a daunting trip to Florence next week.
Vincenzo Italiano’s team collected their first three points of the season in Edinburgh and the game was over by half-time. With just four minutes on the clock, Mandragon waltzed into the box unchallenged and headed home Aleksa Terzic’s cross.It was a poor goal for Hearts to lose so early in the match and it gave them a mountain to climb.
Jovic headed over from a corner and Craig Gordon - 20 years after his Jambos debut - kept it at 1-0 with a terrific fingertip save from Igor. But he could do little to prevent Kouame from making it 2-0 before the interval.
As maroon shirts stood still, he buried a volley past Gordon from close range. In first half injury time, Josh Ginnelly had Hearts’ best chance but Fiorentina ‘keeper Pierluigi Gollini saved with his legs.
Hearts ’ task was made even tougher with Neilson’s red card. Former Real Madrid striker Jovic looked offside from a long punt up the pitch but he got in behind the young centre-back who pulled his shirt.
Belgian ref Erik Lambrechts had no hesitation and sent him packing, which effectively ended the home side’s hopes of getting back into the game. Sub Nathaniel Atkinson had a half-chance to make it 2-1 but fired over.
And after Gordon had saved from Jovic at his near post, the Serbian finally got his goal. Fiorentina were deadly on the counter-attack as Hearts were cut open to leave him with a tap-in.
3 talking points
Maroon misses
Hearts are missing two key defenders and it’s costing them big time right now. Craig Halkett and Kye Rowles might not be superstars but they are huge players for Robbie Neilson.
Without both of them, their back-line looks seriously dis-jointed and lacking in resilience. Don’t forget, they’re also without midfield anchor Beni Baningime, who offers protection. And when you’re short at this level, teams of Fiorentina’s quality are always going to punish you.
The warning signs were there against Rangers last week when they shipped four and it was a similar story last night. Young Lewis Neilson has real potential and is one for the future. But he showed here that he’s not ready to be a leader in the Jambos’ rearguard, which the likes of Halkett is.
The first goal last night was the perfect example. No-one in the back five took responsibility to pick up Mandragora who strolled in unmarked to head home the opening goal.
The second wasn’t much better as maroon jerseys stood back admiring Kouame as he struck a volley past Craig Gordon. When Neilson got caught on the wrong side of Jovic early in the second half and tugged his shirt for a red card - it topped off a defensive disaster for Neilson’s men.
Gordon the Great
It was 20 years ago to the day that Craig Gordon made his Hearts debut and last night he skippered the club on a big European night. It must have been a proud moment for the Scotland keeper who, despite the result, still showed his class.
Gordon produced a brilliant save in the first half to deny Igor with his fingertips and keep his side in it. And just before the break he was at it again when he thwarted Mandragon at the near post. Following on from Allan McGregor’s wonder show for Rangers at Anfield on Tuesday night, Gordon showed at 40 that age is only a number.
He had little chance with Fiorentina’s goals and must have felt let down at times by a weak back-line in front of him. The veteran shows no signs of letting up for club and country and he’ll be crucial for Robbie Neilson’s side in the Florence return fixture next week.
The big worry for Hearts and Scotland is, who will replace him when he eventually does call it a day? Right now, that’s not even worth thinking about.
Jovic Luka good
Luka Jovic might not have fulfilled his potential yet but at times last night you could see why Real Madrid once paid £60 million for him. The Serbian striker scored 10 goals in a single Europa League season for Eintracht Frankfurt three seasons ago so has proper pedigree.
And at Tynecastle, a makeshift Hearts defence couldn’t handle him. The former Red Star Belgrade and Benfica hit-man was a constant menace to the Jambos’ backline with his clever movement and instinct in front of goal.
He flashed a header just over the bar from a corner as a marker. But he wasn’t to be denied in the second half. He tested Craig Gordon with a shot at his near post which the Scotland keeper managed to keep out.
But when Fiorentina hit the home side on the counter-attack to grab a third goal, Jovic was on the end of it. His strike was a simple tap-in from close range but the likes of Lewis Neilson and Stephen Kingsley found it tough against the 24-year-old.
He can look stroppy at times when things don’t go his way. But he’s a mercurial talent who will be a major threat in Florence next week.