Goodnight Vienna or famous European away result?

[BBC] The Conference League play-off second leg away to Rapid Vienna on Wednesday night feels like the very definition of a 50-50 tie. Rapid could easily have been a couple of goals ahead last Thursday but for some smart saves from Beau Reus. Even so, they looked very gettable during the first 30 minutes of the second half, and had Josh McPake not been forced off through injury, we might have gone on to win. I'm not trying to downplay Rapid's quality, but from an attacking perspective, things do seem to be starting to click for Wouter Vrancken and his team. Defensively, there is still a fragility, particularly when defending set-pieces - an area that was one of our strengths last season. To progress, Hearts will need to summon the spirit of great European away nights gone by, like Basel in 2004, Bordeaux in 2003 or Austria Vienna in 1988. I'm hoping this generation of Jambos can savour an away victory to remember for years to come. That said, I don't agree Wednesday's result is season defining. For the Jamestown Analytics model to fully flourish, European league-phase football would undoubtedly make it easier to showcase players, but there is still plenty to look forward to domestically. Winning a cup and finishing third would make this season a success, and the early signs suggest that could be achievable under Vrancken. It is also the final full week of the transfer window and, while American striker JJ Williams and Faroese winger Aron Benjaminsen are reportedly set to join, moving on some fringe players could be just as important. I swapped seats from my usual spot in the Gorgie Stand and was sitting near Sander Kartum, Elton Kabangu and Yan Dhanda. It feels imperative we move these guys on and create a clearer pathway for our academy prospects to get involved. Last week, we witnessed one of the great European goals at Tynecastle when James Wilson unleashed a sublime 30-yard screamer. While I don't think there is a queue of youngsters at the Oriam ready to do that every week, Hearts clearly have a youth system producing enviable talent. Involving these players more regularly, whether in training or matchday squads, can only help their development.