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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
Sport
Alan Galindo

Hearts 2 RFS 1 as Jambos suffer Stephen Kingsley injury blow in Euro win - 3 things we learned

Hearts picked up a Europa Conference League win in front of a packed out Tynecastle but the result came at a cost as Stephen Kingsley limped off clutching his hamstring.

Robbie Neilson's men knew before kick-off that their campaign would be coming to an end next week regardless of the result in the capital after Fiorentina's win in the early kick-off. Despite the game being a dead-rubber, both sides put on a spectacle under the lights with the hosts running into a two-goal lead early on through Lawrence Shankland a nd Andy Halliday. But the hosts hit back with a stunner of their own with the woodwork denying them an equally brilliant leveller.

The win leaves Hearts on six points from five games and with that they are guaranteed to finish third in the group. The hosts will hope the win will help kick start their season however another injury will come as a worry to the gaffer and Gorgie faithful. Here are three things we learned as the men in maroon completed the double over their Latvian counterparts.

READ MORE: Hearts OUT of Europa Conference League as Fiorentina win dumps Jambos from competition

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Creating memories

Hearts already knew at kick off that they were out of contention to qualify from the Europa Conference League section.

But that didn't stop the Tynecastle faithful backing their team as they continue to enjoy being on the big stage.

It's been a brilliant journey for Robbie Neilson's men and they will now have the hunger to go on and finish best of the rest once again and secure a return next season.

The win also comes as a huge boost as the capital club bid to kick-start their campaign into life after a difficult few months.

Hot streak

Lawrence Shankland climbed off the bench against Celtic to net a hat-trick at the weekend.

And with his first chance of the night against RFS he got Hearts off to the perfect start with a goal inside three minutes.

It's a second goal in the competition for the Scotland striker who is now on 10 goals for the campaign.

Injury nightmare

Stephen Kingsley is the latest top Hearts star to get hit by the injury curse at the club this season.

The defender pulled up just before the 70 minute mark as he chased down an RFS attacker. He clutched his hamstring and despite best efforts to play on he had to be replaced.

You could see the disappointment written all over his face and it is certainly the last thing Robbie Neilson wanted.

He headed straight down the tunnel with just over 20 minutes to play.

The Jambos will be hoping it's nothing too serious and be praying for the World Cup break to come sooner rather than later.

READ NEXT:

- Hearts urged to channel Premiership focus as Jambos warned against difficult World Cup break spot

- Hearts planning January transfer activity as Robbie Neilson outlines aims for winter window

- Hearts hero Colin Cameron explains 'strange' connection with Hibs favourite after football return

- Hearts fight valiant Celtic battle but lose out in VAR dominated thriller - three things we learned

- Hearts tie down Finlay Pollock to long-term deal as Joe Savage lists key attributes

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