Copenhagen 2-0 Hearts: Analysis

Critchley promised not to park the bus against a team he described as the strongest Hearts have faced in Europe this season.

However, the Gorgie side struggled to get out of their own half in the opening 45 minutes, and were second best to the Danes in every department.

The plan was clearly to use Lawrence Shankland's hold-up play and Kenneth Vargas' pace to get up the park, but Copenhagen dealt with Hearts' front two with ease and launched attack upon attack, with Penrice's superb tackle keeping it goalless.

The early concession in the second half undermined the battling work in the first 45, and from there, Copenhagen upped the pace further.

Gordon got down to his left to keep out a close-range Thomas Delaney header and just moments later sprung to his right to deny Chaikha, who looked certain to add his second after Hearts were opened up all too easily.

The visitors did finally have a shot on the hour mark, but Cammy Devlin's deflected effort was closer to the corner flag than the Copenhagen goal.

There was only one side who ever looked likely to add to the scoreline, and the hosts did so late on after Chiakha went to ground having collided with Gordon.

The Hearts goalkeeper got a touch on the ball, but was deemed - perhaps harshly - to have fouled the young striker.

Diks calmly dispatched the spot kick to ensure victory in a totally one-sided contest.

Critchley now has four wins from 12 in charge of Hearts, and go to Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday before their meeting with Petrocub.