Former Hearts forward Ryan Stevenson delivers a scathing verdict as Wouter Vrancken's reign begins with a chastening Champions League elimination.

Wouter Vrancken's home debut as Hearts boss brought a 2-0 defeat to Sturm Graz and Champions League exit Former Hearts forward Ryan Stevenson was vociferous in his criticism after Hearts crashed out of the Champions League qualifiers following a 6-0 aggregate hammering from Sturm Graz. Hearts, who just 73 days prior came within minutes of a historic title win at Celtic Park, have lost their talisman, central-midfield enforcer and manager this summer and now lack a connection between players and fans, according to Stevenson. "Worrying", "freefall" and "rude awakening" were all bandied around in the immediate aftermath of the club's heaviest ever two-legged European defeat as new boss Wouter Vrankcen's tenure got off to a rocky start. After the departures of Lawrence Shankland, Cammy Devlin and Derek McInnes to Rangers, and a glut of other players leaving, the club have made 11 new additions and looked disjointed in both legs against their Austrian opponents. "Hearts just look as if it's just a new squad flung in together, with the manager too, trying to find their way," Stevenson said. "If you don't get results, we all know what Tynecastle is like. It can be electric, but can they deal with the stadium turning? Are they big enough characters to deal with that? "If they don't play well, I would give it to mid-September, and it would not be nice."