There was to be no perfect end to an otherwise wonderful week for Scottish football.
Hours after Celtic and Rangers learned they would be welcoming last year's finalists Real Madrid and Liverpool respectively to Glasgow in the Champions League group stage, Hearts were unable to set up major glamour ties of their own in the Europa League.
Robbie Neilson's men, of course, have the safety net of guaranteed Europa Conference League group stage participation - and intriguing sides remain in Friday's draw like West Ham, Villarreal and Fiorentina.
But the Hearts players will watch Friday's Europa League draw and feel Pot 1 big guns like Arsenal, Manchester United, Roma or Lazio really should be heading for Tynecastle.