Hearts boss Robbie Neilson expressed his satisfaction with Thursday's 0-0 draw with Birkirkara, revealing that some of his players were sick after the match.

The Maltese heat took its toll on the Jam Tarts as they played out a goalless draw in their Europa League qualification tie.

Neilson praised the effort and performance of his players which puts the Edinburgh side in a good position to make the next round.

"They were exactly what we thought they would be like," he said. "When they beat West Ham out here last year they stifled the game and sat in with two banks of four.

"They wait for you to open up, get frustrated then look to score on the counter attack. But we stopped them doing it. If you'd said we have one game against them at Tynecastle I'd have taken it.

"Teams will come here and get beat and turned over. But we leave here in a good position.

"They might change their gameplan at Tynecastle. The temperature will be lower, the pitch will be better and there will be a huge crowd. So I'd expect us to perform at a higher level and get a result."

Neilson also revealed that several of his stars vomited following the stifling contest as the exertions under the baking Maltese sun took their toll.

He lauded: "I was really pleased with the lads' fitness levels.

"A couple were sick after the match and it's really difficult to play in that heat.

"It was a really good performance, a mature one considering we have lots of guys who haven't played in Europe before this season."