Hearts secured a place in the Conference League league phase after beating Rapid Vienna 4-3 on penalties in Austria, completing a dramatic recovery from a difficult start to the season. The result offers a significant boost for new head coach Wouter Vrancken’s rebuilt side, three months after they narrowly missed out on the Scottish title.

After drawing the first leg 2-2, Hearts fell behind in Vienna but Pierre Landry Kabore equalised despite Tomas Magnusson’s red card. Rapid scored again in the 119th minute to force penalties, where goalkeeper Beau Reus made two saves and Marco Tilio converted the decisive kick. Hearts had previously suffered heavy aggregate defeats to Sturm Graz and Benfica in European qualifying, but will now play six Conference League fixtures across October, November and December.