Hearts’ hopes of a second consecutive season of European group-stage football ended with a 4-0 thrashing to PAOK in Greece.
The Edinburgh side lost 6-1 on aggregate in the Europa Conference League play-offs.
A marginal offside had cost Hearts the chance to go 2-1 up at Tynecastle in the first leg before a long-range strike gave the Greek side the advantage, but any hopes of progress for Steven Naismith and Frankie McAvoy’s side were ended inside the first quarter in Thessaloniki.
The visitors also lost influential defender Stephen Kingsley to injury in the second half.
There was little between the sides in the early stages, but Hearts had a warning when PAOK skipper Vierinha struck the crossbar from long range.
The home side went ahead in the 16th minute after Hearts right-back Nathaniel Atkinson conceded a free-kick with a clumsy challenge.
Brazilian winger Taison curled a low delivery from out wide and the ball went straight into the net inside the far post.
There was a strong claim for the goal to be disallowed as Giannis Konstantelias had come back from an offside position and walked in front of Lawrence Shankland as the ball went through the Hearts striker’s legs. But the VAR officials decided the midfielder had not interfered with play.
The visitors went three ahead on aggregate midway through the half following a cross from the right.
Stefan Schwab got above Atkinson to head down to Brandon and the Spanish striker held off Kye Rowles and hooked the ball past Zander Clark with his back to goal.
Hearts had a chance for a lifeline right at the end of the half when Kenneth Vargas got beyond his man on the byline and centred for Alex Cochrane, who was denied by a block as he tried to flick the ball home from close range.
PAOK moved further ahead in the 57th minute. The home goalkeeper’s long ball went over the head of Rowles and the ball was delivered inside for Konstantelias, who had time to mis-kick his first attempt and still be able to stroke home unchallenged.
Kingsley limped off after a lengthy period of treatment and there was a clear sign that Hearts were starting to focus on Sunday’s cinch Premiership clash with Motherwell when skipper Shankland was taken off as well.
There was further misery for the Jambos when PAOK broke clear for a fourth goal in the 71st minute after Cammy Devlin was barged off the ball on the edge of the Greek side’s box following a Hearts free-kick.
Taison kept his cool to slip the ball through Clark’s legs and net his second goal of the night and complete another heavy defeat for Scottish clubs in Europe following recent humblings for Hibernian and Rangers.
'Right guy at the right time' - Amorim confident of changing Man Utd's fortunes
Ruben Amorim believes he is the "right guy at the right time" to turn Manchester United's fortunes around.
The 39-year-old signed a two-and-a-half-year deal earlier this month to keep him at Old Trafford until June 2027, replacing Erik ten Hag after he was sacked in October.
Amorim is the sixth permanent United manager since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, having left Sporting CP to take charge during the international break.
He won two Primeira Liga titles as Sporting head coach as well as two Taca da Liga trophies, while he led the club to a perfect start in the league this season, winning all 11 of their games.
United sit 13th in the Premier League table ahead of their trip to Ipswich Town on 15 points, though they are just four points behind Chelsea in third.
Amorim recognised the size of the task ahead of him in Manchester but is confident he can make a change.
"I'm a little bit of a dreamer and I believe in myself, and I believe in the club," he said during his first press conference.
"I think we have the same idea, the same mindset and that can help.
"I truly believe in the players; I know you don't believe a lot, but I do. I want to try new things. You guys don't think it's possible, I do.
"Call me naive, but I believe I am the right guy at the right time. I truly believe I am the right guy."
Aged 39 years and 302 days, Amorim will be the youngest to take charge of his first match for the Red Devils since Wilf McGuinness in August 1969 (31y 288d).
United have won just four of their 11 league games so far this season, and have struggled in front of goal, netting just 12 times so far.
Expected to implement his favoured 3-4-3 formation, Amorim admitted it would take time for the club to adapt and has asked for patience as the players get used to his tactics.
"I know at Manchester United we have to win games. We need a lot of time because it's a tough league, we have to improve a lot to try to win the title," he added.
"We have to change the physical aspect of the team. I don't know how long it will take."
Vlahovic out of Juventus clash with Milan
Dusan Vlahovic will miss Juventus' trip to Milan in Serie A this weekend and is also a doubt for the Champions League game at Aston Villa, head coach Thiago Motta has confirmed.
Vlahovic returned from the international break with a muscle problem in his left thigh, and the manager, after he confirmed the Serbian's absence for Saturday's game at San Siro, was asked about his chances of playing on Wednesday at Villa Park.
"I don't know. He definitely won't be there tomorrow. We hope to have him back as soon as possible," Motta told a press conference on Friday.
"Injuries are part of football. Now it's Vlahovic's turn, but we'll keep playing with the same principles, attacking and defending together."
Vlahovic is the latest of Motta's injury problems at Juventus. Argentine winger Nicolas Gonzalez missed the last six league games and is still unavailable, while Poland striker Arkadiusz Milik is a long-term absentee.
Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz will also miss the game with Milan and defender Juan Cabal recently suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury, the same issue which will keep fellow defender Gleison Bremer out for the rest of the season.
"I'm really disappointed for Cabal because, like Bremer, he'll be out for a long time," Motta said.
"This is another reason to push ourselves, to commit that bit more so that these absences don't weigh too heavily."
Juventus go into the game as the only unbeaten side in Serie A but find themselves sixth in the standings in what is so far a very tight title race, with just two points separating Motta's side from leaders Napoli.
"It's very balanced and this is good for both us and the public," Motta said.
"We must all try to continue like this. We have to try to get as many positive results as possible."
Milan are one place behind Juve but six points off Motta's side.
Serie A side Genoa confirm sacking of head coach Gilardino
Serie A side Genoa have confirmed the departure of their head coach Alberto Gilardino, with Patrick Vieira reportedly on his way in.
Gilardino, a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, leaves the club with them sitting just one point above the relegation size with 10 points from 12 matches this season.
A former striker who played for clubs including Genoa, Parma, AC Milan and Fiorentina, Gilardino took charge of Genoa in 2022 and helped them earn promotion to the top division before a 11th-place finish during the 2023-24 season.
"The club thanks Gilardino for the goals achieved together over the years and wishes him the best for his career," Genoa said in a statement.
The 42-year-old saw his side salvage a late 1-1 draw against Cesc Fabregas' Como in their last match before the international break.
Genoa were also knocked out of the Coppa Italia in the second round following a defeat to Sampdoria on penalties in September.
Arsenal legend Vieira is set to replace him, according to multiple reports.
The former France midfielder has been out of work since leaving Strasbourg by mutual consent in July.
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