SerpApi.Org
Hearts defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott described his team's 4-0 loss to Sturm Graz as "embarrassing", but says they remain optimistic about the return leg of their Champions League qualifier next week.
Fagan-Walcott made his competitive debut in the match and says that, despite the heavy loss, there were signs of positivity.
"It's just tough to take. I think when you look at the stats of the game and everything, it's not a 4-0, but at this level, you have to take your chances," he said.
"We got chances as well, and if we take them, it looks like a different game. But we just have to look to the next one at Tynecastle and try to do as much as we can, because the tie is not over until the 90th minute at Tynecastle.
The 24-year-old added: "We can't make excuses. We have only had a short time together, but we're all grown-ups and we all take accountability, so we have to keep going.
"Of course it's embarrassing, it's 4-0, but these are things in football that happen. If we get too embarrassed and sink, and go to Tynecastle like that, it'll just get worse.
"So, we'll take the embarrassment. We'll take it and we'll use it as strength for next week. That's when you need to just come together as a group and try to do the right things."
