Hearts secured their place in the £5m UEFA Conference League main phase with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Rapid Vienna at the Allianz Stadion on August 26, 2026. The Jambos fought back from a goal down and a man down to win the nerve-shredding play-off tie, thanks to two brilliant saves from Beau Reus.
Comeback from adversity
Rapid Vienna took a half-time lead through Ercan Kara, and Hearts looked down and out when Tomas Magnusson was sent off. However, they hit back through Landry Kabore to force extra time, and Calvin Miller appeared to have won it with a sensational volley, only for Nenad Cvetkovic to level in the final minute and send the tie to penalties.
Hearts had to defend for their lives in extra time with a man light after Magnusson's red card. Their spirit was typified by Miller, who fired a stunning second goal to add to Kabore's equaliser, then played on through injury before hitting the first spot kick.
Vrancken's emotional reaction
Jubilant head coach Wouter Vrancken thought he had injured himself as he celebrated wildly from the sidelines after Reus saved for Celtic winger Marco Tilio's fifth kick for Rapid. He said: "I was a little bit scared that I injured myself! We did a sprint - but it's been a long time! But all the emotions came together.
"You see what's happening on the pitch, you see them working. You want to give them the reward. And when you see them at the last minute, you get the goal. And then the penalties, they stayed into the game altogether. Then you're just happy that the guys get rewarded.
"I cannot describe it. It's so f****** deserve for those players. The effort they put in it today, but all those weeks already making progress. We have to show guts to make results. You have to do your thing and don't be scared to make mistakes. Just do it and go full. Second half was amazing.
"Calvin, I think because of the celebrations, he made it worse. But you can put him everywhere. He's played left full-back, he played wing-back, he played right and left winger. Now he has to be in a central position. Unbelievable how much effort he puts into it. I'm happy for him that he scores the goal."
Renaud injury concern
One downside for Vrancken was the loss of Tom Renaud after 15 minutes to a serious-looking ankle injury. Vrancken said: "With Tom we have to see, but he doesn't look good. So, I cannot say anything now at the moment. I hope that it will be okay, but it doesn't look good."
Vrancken also praised the contributions of his substitutes, saying: "I'm really proud. I'm showing today that the guys who came in, the energy, the extras they bring. They gave something with the team. When you see Kabore, Rogers Mato, Saba Kerjotah didn't lose one ball. Won every duel there in the back was needed. And Laurent Mendy coming on in a difficult game in a central position there. He kept them really strong in the game. So, yeah, really proud in all things."
Financial windfall and European dream
The win guarantees a £5m windfall from the group stage. Vrancken said: "I think it's everybody's dream to play in Europe. And they worked hard for it. Especially the guys who did a great season last season. So, they get the present, let's say. Today has to reach a league phase. So, they worked for it last year and it's good that they got it now. And for the new guys, of course, when you come in and you can be part of such a team. And going in Europe there, it's also a nice thing. And a little bit of a dream. Some guys come from, like we said already, third, fourth, fifth tier actually. And then the possibility to play in Europe is really nice."
