The build-up to this play-off clash was dominated by the state of the pitch after supergroup U2's concert in the Maksimir Stadium. However, to quote Bono and Co, 'Pride' is all that will be at stake in next week's return at Tynecastle after Hearts recorded their worst European result in 48 years.

Not since a 4-0 away reversal to Inter Milan in the 1961 UEFA Cup has it been this bad on the Continent for the Jambos.

Poor goalkeeping from Marian Kello allowed Mario Mandzukic and Dimitrios Papadopoulos to set Dinamo on their way, before Ivica Vrdoljak and former Liverpool defender Igor Biscan capitalised on bad defending to complete the humiliation for Csaba Laszlo's men after the break. This utterly one-sided affair will ensure that Hearts' first European adventure in three years will see them added to the SPL Europa League hall of shame after Falkirk lost to FC Vaduz and Aberdeen were crushed by Sigma Olomouc. Factor in Scotland's 4-0 loss to Norway in their World Cup qualifier and it is difficult to remember a worse six-week period in Scottish football history. New skipper Michael Stewart may have made headlines before the game, claiming Scottish referees have it in for Hearts, but even he could not blame Russian match official Nikolay Ivanov for his team's demise last night. The Scots - albeit with a side featuring eight nationalities - were technically inferior and outplayed at a ground which, admittedly, has historically been unkind to visitors.

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