Kyziridis made a strong debut at a sodden Forthbank, tormenting Stirling’s right-back Ross McGeachie. A goal and an assist were an adequate way to introduce himself to new fans. With his direct running, dribbling, and shooting abilities, he looks set to be a popular figure at Tynecastle Park this season.

Hearts coach Derek McInnes made eight changes to his startling line-up from Tuesday’s win over Hamilton, including selecting Kyziridis for the first time following a minor injury.

His early header forced a save from Stirling keeper Derek Gaston before he set up the opening goal on 13 minutes with a hanging cross that Halkett powerfully headed down into the net.

On 18 minutes, Alan Forrest’s looping header from Oisin McEntee’s cross bounced off the far post, before Braga doubled the visitors’ lead. Following a corner kick in the second phase, Christian Borchgrevink’s deep cross found Halkett for a header across goal, which Braga nodded in on the run.

Gaston’s hand reached the ball but couldn’t keep it out. On 38 minutes, Kyziridis scored himself, putting Hearts ahead 3-0. Forrest’s low delivery across the face of Gaston’s goal fell nicely for the Greek to drive high into the net, bringing the game to an end before halftime.

Kyziridis should have scored again moments later after latching onto Lawrence Shankland’s forward pass.

The diving Gaston successfully diverted the Hearts player’s shot over his crossbar. Stirling attempted to use the height of former Riccarton youngster Russell McLean in attack, but he was well contained by the visiting centre-backs Halkett and Stuart Findlay. Borchgrevink left at halftime, presumably due to a knock, and McEntee moved to right back for the second half.

Gaston made a fine save to deny Shankland from Braga’s cross shortly after the restart, as the march towards Albion’s goal continued. Hearts probed and pressed, and their forwards were caught offside several times due to their eagerness to get in behind.

They eventually forced a fourth goal 10 minutes before the end. Gaston stopped Halkett’s header from substitute Yan Dhanda’s corner after he fell backwards, and the ball appeared to cross the goal line.

Findlay raced in to prod it home just in case, but it appeared to be Halkett’s goal. Stirling protested that their custodian had the ball in his hands and called a foul, but the goal stood.

Substitute Elton Kabangu should have made it 5-0, but his header from Dhanda’s cross went over the bar despite being six yards out.

Hearts had to make do with a 4-0 final score, which meant they had scored 12 goals and conceded only one in their first three Premier Sports Cup games.

The same performance on Wednesday against Dumbarton would ensure that seeding. Here are the Hearts players’ ratings from Forthbank:

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