Devlin Double Makes The Difference As Hearts Progress In Europe

A late double from Cammy Devlin sent Hearts into the next round of qualifying for the Europa Conference League, James McKenzie reports.

Hearts went into Thursday night’s encounter with Rosenborg knowing a 2-goal swing in their favour would be needed. A first-half demolition from the Norwegians had them 2-0 up in the first leg before Lawrence Shankland struck with 10 to play to reduce the arrears required in the return leg.

If Hearts had their work cut out for them already then they had a mountain to climb after 4 minutes as Rosenborg took the lead through Isak Thorvaldsson. Zander Clark produced a brilliant initial save to deny the header however Thorvaldsson was on hand to prod home a messy opener.

16-year-old Sverre Nypan dictated play much like he did in the first leg and Rosenborg almost grabbed a second mere moments later as Emil Frederiksen found himself free in the Hearts box but could only steer his left-footed effort wide of the mark.

The task at hand was monumental but the Jambos were up for it, and it was one way traffic for the remainder of the first 45. Lawrence Shankland, ever the man for the moment, stepped up in the 12th minute as Liam Boyce slipped the captain in behind and Shankland produced a cute chip to bring the Jambos level and back within 1.

Shankland found himself with a chance to grab his third goal across both legs on the half-hour mark however his deflected effort was well-saved by the feet of Rosenborg stopper Andre Hansen.

A final flurry from Hearts wasn’t enough to tie things up at the break as Frankie Kent headed over from a corner and just seconds later Hansen produced another fine save to palm away Alex Cochrane’s powerful drive.

Still behind in the tie at the break but with an inspired first half behind them, hopes were still high around Tynecastle, and the second-half display would reaffirm that faith.

It was in the 49th minute that Hearts would bring the tie level as Liam Boyce showcased some excellent feet on the edge of the area to get his shot off which produced a brilliant save from Hansen, but Cammy Devlin was on hand to lash it in off the bar and turn the feeling around Tynecastle from hope to belief.

The following 40 minutes saw both sides looking very hesitant to throw everything at it knowing one mishap could cost them everything.

It would be in the 92nd minute that sheer euphoria would overtake Gorgie. Cammy Devlin played a little give and go with Shankland,2 and he wouldn’t hesitate to have a low drive from outside the area which took a lethal deflection on its way through to deceive Hansen in the Rosenborg net and see Hearts through to the Europa Conference League playoff round.