Hearts defender Stephen Kingsley believes there are plenty of positives for the men in maroon to take into next Thursday’s UEFA Europa Conference League second leg tie against PAOK, despite a 2-1 first leg defeat at Tynecastle.
The Jambos were ahead early doors through Lawrence Shankland’s penalty, but after the visitors responded with a penalty of their own, Andrija Zivkovic’s stunning strike was enough to give the Greeks a slender lead heading into next week’s second leg.
Speaking to Hearts TV at full-time, Kingsley said:
“The final result is disappointing, but we competed well. It’s frustrating to lose the goal so soon after scoring our first. It’s really important in those moments that you stay tight, but it’s just one of those things.
“We just lacked that final bit. We were so unlucky with Shanks’ goal. We have absolutely nothing to lose now. After tonight, we really feel like we have a good chance of going out there and putting on a performance and getting through.
“It was a tough game. We knew what they were going to be like. We knew they were going to be a threat on the counter attack, but when we were set in our shape, I thought we defended pretty well.
“I think there were enough positives from the performance to take confidence going into next week.”
