Thousands more watched live on TV as their favourites were taken apart by a slick Dinamo Zagreb side.
Let's take nothing away from Dinamo - the in-form and unbeaten Croatian champions played very well against a totally-disjointed Hearts team. This was undoubtedly the worst Hearts European performance in living memory, but it is hardly comparable to some of the disastrous displays against Euro minnows by Aberdeen over the past 20 years or the recent defeats for Falkirk and Motherwell. Dinamo Zagreb are a top side so let's not regard this disappointing defeat alongside Aberdeen, Motherwell & Falkirk's recent Euro exits.
There are no excuses for Hearts' poor display, and even though this was only their second game of the season it seems the team may struggle to get any result against anybody on this form.
The Europa League is all but over for us this season and Hearts fans will demand a much improved performance against Dinamo at Tynecastle next week to restore some pride.
Another dismal display like that against Rangers on Sunday and there could be a riot. Hearts fans will not stand for it and questions will be asked about the contributions of Nade, Obua, Suso and others to the team.
Both Stewart and Zaliukas are suspended for Sunday's SPL match so Hearts are really up against it.
"Though we sometimes go doon, we can aye get back up" ... and although we must remain optimistic for the season ahead the team cannot afford to be playing catch-up in the SPL..
Somehow, Hearts need to scrape out any result against the Champions on Sunday to get their season underway.