Ten-man Hearts crash out of Europa League after Jorge Grant’s red card

Hearts suffered Europa League play-off agony at Tynecastle after a red card for Jorge Grant effectively killed off their hopes of overturning FC Zurich’s first-leg lead.

The Jambos dominated the first half and, with the backing of a frenzied home support, looked like they might be able to get the goal that would bring the tie level.

However, midfielder Grant was shown a second yellow card in the 54th minute after diving in the box, with the extra-man advantage allowing Zurich to take the sting out of proceedings and eventually seal a 3-1 aggregate win when substitute Fabian Rohner scored the only goal of the second leg with 10 minutes left.

Hearts will now drop into the group stage of the Europa Conference League.

Jambos boss Robbie Neilson made three changes from the side that started the 2-1 first-leg defeat in St Gallen last Thursday as Michael Smith, Alan Forrest and Liam Boyce replaced Nathaniel Atkinson, Peter Haring and the injured Craig Halkett.

Zurich were backed by a noisy travelling support numbering around 400, helping create a sensational atmosphere as the teams emerged at a sold-out Tynecastle.

Hearts started on the front foot and threatened early on when Barrie McKay released Boyce down the left with a magnificent pass but the Northern Irishman was unable to pick out a maroon jersey with his cross as he burst into the box.

The hosts almost took the lead in the 14th minute when Alex Cochrane picked out Alan Forrest with a lovely cross-field pass from left to right and the winger cut inside and saw a ferocious angled strike brilliantly beaten away by Zurich keeper Yanick Brecher.

Kye Rowles then saw a header from Grant’s corner saved by Brecher in the 26th minute.

Hearts were dominating and in the 32nd