Hearts lose 6-0 in Europe after window strips league leaders of manager and stars

Hearts topped the Scottish Premiership for the entire 2025-26 season. Then manager Derek McInnes departed, taking Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin with him. New boss Wouter Vrancken, arriving from Belgian side Sint-Truiden, oversaw a 6-0 defeat to Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying. Former Hearts striker Ryan Stevenson said the side look like "a new squad thrown together."