It looked like Hearts were going to put on a show in their final Europa Conference League clash under the light at Tynecastle.
Lawrence Shankland made it four goals in two games after just three minutes before Andy Halliday added a second before we'd even played quarter-of-an-hour. Given their other two home clashes in Group A resulted in heavy defeats, inflicting one of their own on RFS would have given the fans an enjoyable Thursday night for a welcome change.
It didn't quite pan out that way, however and ended up being a somewhat nervy affair. The Jambos knew before the game that any small chance of somehow managing to pip Fiorentina to second place was gone after La Viola beat Istanbul Basaksehir 2-1 in Florence. But points mean prize money in this competition, so there was still plenty of incentive to claim all three against a team they'd already beaten during this campaign.
After too many games conceding the early this season, Hearts managed to get off the mark within four minutes. It was the same combination that put them ahead against Celtic at the weekend, with Josh Ginnelly firing a low ball across the six yard box for Lawrence Shankland to slide home from close range, catching RFS keeper Pavels Steinbors with his follow through.
Crossballs have been the Jambos weak point this season. they just about dealt with a delivery from a corner, which was only cleared as far as RFS left back Petr Mares. He struck his volley well, but it was too high to trouble Craig Gordon.
A deflection allowed Hearts to double their advantage on 12 minutes. Good play down the left allowed Alex Cochrane to cut back for Jorge Grant. He teed up Halliday, who took a touch and shot low, and enjoyed a nice slice of luck, the ball hitting a defender and wrong-footing Steinbors to find the net.
Stephen Kingsley was inches from a third just after the half hour mark. Back on free-kicks with Robert Snodgrass ineligible, the dead ball specialist went for the top corner and Steinbors needed to get across and used his finger tips to tip the ball over.
The defender went close again soon after. Shankland showed good strength to hold off his man and set with the outside of his boot, but Kingsley's drive flew narrowly wide.
It usually takes something special to beat Craig Gordon, and Kevin Friesenbichler produced exactly that. He sent a screamer into the far corner from the edge of the area that had the Scotland No 1 neat all ends up to get RFS back into the game.
Hearts came out on the front foot after the break. Ginnelly's effort from distance wasn't too far over, although Shankland had been flagged offside.
After his first half stunner, Friesenbichler almost topped it. He lashed the ball towards the top corner once more, but this time saw the ball crash back off the underside of the bar with Gordon beaten again.
A wonderful first touch from Ginnelly took him inside before unleashing a left-foot strike. It was goalbound, but Steinbors was able to get a string left hand to the ball and divert it over.
Gordon then had to react quickly at the other end. A wicked delivery from the left was met by Andrej Ilic, who's glancing header had to be dealt with.
Hearts were inches from restoring their two goal lead when McKay clipped a clever cross into the area. It was met by Shankland, but his header came back off the post. Sub Lewis neilson was first to the rebound, but couldn't keep his effort down.
After defending a late set piece, hearts broke through sub Euan henderson before he was cynically hacked down by Vitalijs Jagodinskis. The red card was out immediately and the stand in captain was off for a slightly early bath.
As expected
On paper, Hearts have been about par for the course for this group, regardless of what happens in Istanbul next week. Six points out of six against Rigas will be what was targeted when they learned their opponents. No points against the two quality sides in the group is no disgrace and results there will have been seen as a bonus.
But it was the manner of the defeats that will have disappointed. They shipped 12 goals in three matches against Istanbul Basaksehir and Fiorentina and didn't put up much of a fight against either at a packed Tynecastle. If Hearts return to this stage next season - which at the moment is a big if - then lessons will have been learned.
Papa Shanko looking sharp
Four goals in two games for the Jambos' No 9. Fresh off the back of a hat-trick against Celtic at the weekend, he was in from the start with Stephen Humphrys out injured. The big on-loan Wigan man has impressed, but perhaps lacks the killer instinct Shankland possesses.
It's the type of goals he scores that makes the difference. Strikers goals from close range, nipping ahead of defenders and being in the right place at the right time. He's more than a poacher though, with good strength and ability to link. Puts in a shift too. It's been 20 years since a Hearts striker hit the same number of goals in a season, but Shankland looks the most likely to finally emulate John Robertson.
Another injury
Hearts just can't seem to keep their players fit. Stephen Kingsley was the next to suffer an injury. He made a run beyond Barrie McKay, who went backwards with possession and the left back pulled up with what seemed like a hamstring issue. Neilson is down to the bare bones in terms of centre backs now and the World Cup break can;t come quick enough so he can start to get some of the walking wounded back on the park.
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