Hearts out of Europe after defeat to PAOK in Conference League playoff

Hearts missed out on a place in Friday's draw after defeat in Greece.

Hearts knocked out of Europe after defeat to PAOK in Conference League playoff SNS Group

Hearts have been knocked out of Europe after falling to defeat against PAOK in the Conference League play-off.

The Tynecastle side were hoping to become the fourth Scottish side to secure their place in the group stages of a European competition this season.

But the trip to Greece proved too much for Frankie McAvoy’s side as they were defeated 4-0 on the night and 6-1 on aggregate.

Two first-half goals put PAOK in a commanding position following their 2-1 win in Edinburgh last week as Hearts fell at the final qualifier.

Brazilian forward Taison opened the scoring after 16 minutes to give the Greek side a 1-0 lead on the night and 3-1 in the tie.

And Spanish forward all-but secured the home side’s place in Friday’s draw when he made it 2-0 on the night after 23 minutes.

Cochrane had an opportunity to get one back for Hearts but he blasted his effort over the bar as the time started to tick away in their European hopes.

But 20-year-old midfielder Giannis Konstantelias put the game to be when he made it 3-0 on the night with just over half an hour to go.

And Taison put the icing on the cake in a humbling night for Hearts when he scored his second to make it 4-0 and 6-1 on aggregate.

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