Europa League: Tottenham 0 Hearts 0

Tottenham moved into the Europa League group stage after a scoreless draw with Hearts in the second leg of their tie at White Hart Lane.

Spurs’ progression was a given in after their 5-0 first-leg victory in Scotland though ultimately it was a game that never sparked into life despite both sides gifting players a chance to impress.

Harry Redknapp fielded a vastly changed side from the one that was on the receiving end of the 3-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Premier League on Monday.

Given further chance to impress after breaking into the starting line-up, Jake Livermore was joined by other academy graduates Andros Townsend, Harry Kane, Thomas Carroll and Ryan Fredericks.

Hearts boss Paulo Sergio also make an abundance of changes to his team, drafting in eight new faces.

It took nine minutes for Spurs to muster the first meaningful effort on goal, Roman Pavlyuchenko hitting a half-volley from the edge of the penalty area to draw a save out of Jamie Macdonald.

Down the other end, a flash of inspiration nearly sparked the game into life as Gordon Smith made a nuisance of himself in the Tottenham penalty area before rifling a volley into the underside of the bar.

Despite looking placid throughout, Spurs had the prime opportunity to put themselves in the lead around the half hour mark after Kane rounded the goalkeeper and was sent sprawling to earn a penalty.

Stepping up to take the spot-kick himself, Kane was thwarted by Macdonald, who made a comfortable save down to his right.

The second half failed to match the excitement of the first, though Kane was again at the centre of Spurs’ best chance.

The striker was nearly afforded a free effort on goal as the onrushing Macdonald stumbled over the ball, but the goalkeeper hacked the ball clear at the vital moment.