AND THE TORTURE GOES ON … Late heartbreak for heroic Hibs in Poland, while Jimmy Thelin laments controversial penalty which killed Dons’ Europa League dream

Scottish football’s nightmare week came to a sorry conclusion despite a heroic effort by Hibs against Legia Warsaw in Poland.

Aberdeen’s Europa League dream was crushed by FCSB in Romania earlier on Thursday evening, 24 hours after Rangers followed Celtic in being knocked out of the Champions League.

Despite suffering a 2-1 defeat in the first leg of their play-off, David Gray’s Hibs came within three stoppage-time minutes of joining the Dons in the UEFA Conference League following an almighty comeback.

They lost another goal in the 13th minute, only to sensationally move 4-3 ahead on aggregate following three goals in 11 second-half minutes from Rocky Bushiri, Martin Boyle and Miguel Chaiwa.

The Poles forced extra time with a goal in the dying stages, and there was only pain and anguish for Hibs when Mileta Rajovic scored a dramatic winner in the 98th minute.

The dismissal of Legia’s Jan Ziolkowski with five minutes remaining made no difference as the home side made it through to the league phase at the Edinburgh side’s expense.

Miguel Chaiwa, far right, celebrates the goal that looked to have won play-off for Hibs after sensational fightback

HIbs boss David Gray calls for more time as his brave team try to find a winner

With Aberdeen’s tie poised at 2-2 after the first leg, the Dons were left stewing over a harsh looking handball decision which saw Alexander Jensen sent off for a second yellow card just before half-time.

Darius Olaru scored from the spot-kick before further goals from the skipper and Adrian Sut saw FCSB defeat Aberdeen 3-0 on the night and 5-2 on aggregate.

Boss Jimmy Thelin, whose team drop into the Conference League, said: ‘The penalty was a tough one and it changed the dynamic of the game. I haven’t watched it back but I have been told it’s a tough one.

‘It’s not an excuse, but it changed the game.

‘The difference in the match was that, when we made mistakes, they punished us really hard. When they made mistakes, we didn’t punish them.

‘They used their opportunities with calmness and quality, we had opportunities ourselves but couldn’t really take them.

‘You always want to prove yourself in this moment but we were not really ready. So we have to improve in the Conference League.

‘We have to grow and do better. The only way to get better as a team is to find this calmness as a team.

Jimmy Thelin and his Aberdeen players were left to lament a 3-0 defeat in Romania

The controversial handball incident which saw Alexander Jensen, on right, sent off for Dons

Jensen pleads his innocence with the ref but he received a second yellow card and FCSB scored from penalty spot

“That’s why before the penalty I was quite happy, I saw a more mature team. We started the game well, both of the games were tight when it was 11 v 11.

‘We had a plan to get in with some transitions but they scored twice in five minutes. This is where we have to find this rhythm and calmness as a team in these important moments.

‘The best way is to be in Europe and learn from this, that’s how you grow as a team.’

Thelin confirmed that winger Shayden Morris is set to leave the club. He was left out of the team in Romania, with Luton Town stepping up their interest.

‘Shayden was allowed to travel on Thursday because there was a strong interest late on Wednesday,’ he said.

‘We had a good talk, Shayden, myself and the club, and he felt the distraction was too strong. So he was allowed to travel and lets see what tomorrow brings.’

FCSB boss Elias Charalambous agreed the sending off and penalty changed the game.

He said: ‘Until the moment we managed to score the penalty I felt the game was even.’