Cercle Brugge 2-0 Hearts: Lawrence Shankland scoring struggles continue with penalty miss during defeat

Match report as Hearts lost 2-0 at Cercle Brugge in the Conference League; goals from Malamine Efekele and Gary Magnee sealed victory; Hearts remain on six points from four matches, with games against Copenhagen and Petrocub Hincesti to follow

Thursday 28 November 2024 22:37, UK

Lawrence Shankland's miserable season in front of goal continued as the Hearts striker missed a penalty during a 2-0 defeat against Cercle Brugge.

The skipper squandered a chance to level the Conference League encounter in the 82nd minute when he fired the ball over the bar.

After scoring 33 goals for club and country last season, the Scotland forward has netted just once in 20 appearances in a frustrating campaign.

Earlier in the game, Malamine Efekele mishit his first-time shot but the effort wrongfooted Craig Gordon and spun into the corner of the net to give the hosts the lead.

The game was finally out of reach for the visitors following a last-minute corner. Gordon made a good initial save but was beaten by a major deflection as Gary Magnee's shot went in off Hearts substitute Daniel Oyegoke.

Hearts remain on six points from four matches, with games against Copenhagen and Petrocub Hincesti to follow, and will view their trip to Belgium as a wasted opportunity after making plenty of inroads on the home defence.

'It's a team game' - Hearts boss refuses to blame individuals for defeat in Bruges

Hearts head coach Neil Critchley stressed the need for collective responsibility after captain Shankland's missed penalty proved costly in Belgium.

"We have to take responsibility in how we prepare and never come out and blame any individual," he said. "We win together, we lose together. That's the name - it's a team game.

"I'm desperately disappointed for the supporters, who travelled in great numbers. We want to give them a goal and a win, and unfortunately we have not been able to do that."

He added: "It was a game of fine margins. First half, little between the two teams, not a lot of chances at either end.

"We give a poor goal away near half-time. We lose the middle of the pitch and then don't defend well enough on the edge of the box.

"I thought we were much the better team in the second half, had some good moments and good chances. In a game of few chances, you have to take them. We haven't done that."