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Kingsley insists he and his devastated team-mates need to learn from Hampden heartache and be better for it going forward

- CRAIG SWAN

STEPHEN KINGSLEY has been in the game long enough to know the devastation felt inside Hearts' dressing room at Hampden will linger for some time yet.

But the 29-year-old believes using that pain can only act as another key building block to keep getting this side into such positions and, crucially, to make them count.

Steven Naismith's Jambos were again left shattered at the National Stadium in the wake of a second cup semi-final loss of the season to Rangers.

Dumped out of the Viaplay Cup by Philippe Clement's team, Kingsley and Co fell at the hands of the Belgian's side once more in the Scottish.

Two big opportunities missed and Hearts know it.

Although of little consolation in the immediate aftermath, Kingsley hopes to look back on it as part of the process that brings a prosperous future.

Defeat can offer education and drive to a growing group as he said: "We are a young team.

"I'm sure I heard Naisy say in the press the other day we are the second youngest in the league. We are a team who will only get better with experience.

"We have got Europe hopefully coming up if we manage to maintain our form in the league and get third wrapped up.

"This is all good stuff for the young boys as well as a couple of the older heads to drive us forward and to improve game after game, season after season, and try to be in that position where we are making finals, taking our chances and winning cups. That's the goal.

"So days like this are disappointing but we need to build on it.