Hearts positives, negatives and the Beau Reus factor after Benfica

Dutch goalkeeper played his part in the Estadio da Luz

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A tall and dejected figure emerges from the Hearts dressing room deep in the bowels of the Estadio da Luz. You would never know Beau Reus was one of his team’s better performers against Benfica. The Dutch goalkeeper looks distraught after conceding six times in the 6-1 Europa League qualifying defeat. But for him, it would have been a few more.

The Portuguese giants proved themselves to be a couple of levels above Hearts during Thursday night’s first leg in Lisbon. Reus, playing only his second game since signing a three-year contract at Tynecastle Park, pulled off a number of decent saves to keep the scoreline down. He stopped efforts from Leandro Barreiro, Gianluca Prestianni and others and could not really be blamed for the goals which did find the net.

A good individual performance is scant consolation, however. Reus and Hearts wanted a better scoreline to give a better reflection of themselves. Conceding two penalties in amongst six goals, allied to some individual errors, left the away side frustrated. There were some positives for Hearts, such as elements of their possession play, Reus’ display, substitute Josh McPake’s performance and Tom Renaud’s goal. None of it disguises the fact that Benfica are going through, though.

“Of course, it was a hard night,”acknowledged Reus with a sigh. “Before the game, we knew it would be a hard game. I think, from the start, we did our best. We trained on Wednesday, we had a good training session, and we had all the faith that we could keep the margin small and go to Tynecastle with a good feeling. Now it will be a hard challenge next week.”

The several saves he made helped the goalkeeper show up well as he attempts to fill the void left by the departed Alexander Schwolow. “Yeah, of course, but that's really the only thing you can do as a goalkeeper,” he explained. “I think in these moments you have to show yourself a little bit more than on other days. I'm happy that I could make some saves, but I'm mostly disappointed about the six goals we conceded. It's a hard pill to swallow, but for now it's the reality and we have to go again on Sunday against Dundee United.”

For Scottish clubs other than Celtic or Rangers, reaching the Champions League or Europa League is a near-impossible task. Hearts lost 6-0 on aggregate to Sturm Graz in the Champions League qualifiers and are now all but out of the Europa qualifying stage against Benfica - who are probably a better team than Sturm.

As they prepare to drop into the Conference League, it is worth considering whether that tournament is more the level for Scottish clubs, other than the two Glasgow teams. “I don't know, it's a hard question,” replied Reus. “If you see the Sturm Graz game away, it was obviously one I didn't play in, but I saw it on the television and I was in the stadium for the return. I think the boys played a really good game.

“It was just really unfortunate that we lost 4-0 there. At home, you know it's a hard game, but it was also a little bit disappointing. If you see what teams you can have in the draw for the Europa League, I think we got one of the best, maybe the best, in the Europa League in Benfica. It's hard to compare. If you have another club on another day, you never know what's going to happen then.”

Hearts have now lost all of their first four competitive games under new coach Wouter Vrancken as he tries to implement a new style of play. On Sunday, Dundee United visit Tynecastle and there is a determination to halt the run of defeats. “Of course, but I think every game is like this,” said Reus.

“If I speak for myself, if I speak for the team, if I speak for the club, I think every game you play you want to win and you give everything. That's why I'm mostly sad about the game on Thursday, that we couldn't get a result and lost 6-1. It's hard, it's too much. You have to be honest, it's just too much of a score. I think we are professionals. I think we are old enough to have lost games and to have won games, so I think for everybody it's the same: We have to be fresh on Sunday and we will need everybody. Hopefully everybody stays fit.”