European 'learning curve' helping Hearts - Miller

Hearts winger Calvin Miller hopes Sunday's thumping 4-0 win over Dundee United will help kickstart their season after a testing start. Miller - signed from Falkirk earlier this summer - scored his first goal for the club, converting from the penalty spot. The three points were more than welcome after a heavy aggregate defeat by Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying, a 2-1 reverse against Aberdeen in the Premiership and a heavy loss at Benfica in the first leg of their Europa League qualifying tie. Despite those losses, Miller - who filled in at left-back against United - says he always believed Hearts would eventually get their season up and running. "I'm just happy to get off my mark and get the win," he told BBC Scotland. "I think we've been quite unlucky with the draws and stuff, the ties and the European campaign. "So today was huge for us to kickstart our campaign and we've done it in style with a nice 4-0 win. "It's been tough, of course, but the opposition have been real tough. It's a learning curve as well, so we take these moments and we try and learn from them. "Then we take it into the Scottish league campaign and then we try and apply ourselves in this league and I think we've done that." Hearts now turn their attention back to Europe when Benfica visit Tynecastle on Thursday for the second leg of their Europa League third qualifying-round tie. Wouter Vrancken's side trail 6-1 from the first leg in Lisbon, but Miller says the players will relish the opportunity despite facing another demanding week. "You've got to relish these moments in these big games and I am looking forward to it on Thursday," Miller said. "We need to not make as many mistakes as you usually do. You need to up your game, you need to think faster. "Our opponents are a wee bit ahead in terms of quality, but it's maybe just trying to frustrate them and make it difficult and hard to beat."