The Jambos became the latest Scottish team to suffer humiliation in Europe as they all but lost their Europa League play-off tie inside an hour of the first leg at the the Maksimir Stadium.

Goals from Mario Mandzukic, Dimitrios Papadopoulos, Ivica Vrdoljak and former Liverpool midfielder Igor Biscan put Dinamo within touching distance of the group stage ahead of next week's return match.

It could have been even worse for the visitors, who looked clueless throughout as their slick opponents created and missed chance after chance.

Laszlo pointed to the gulf in class and resources enjoyed by both clubs as the reason behind his side's heavy defeat.

"If you lose 4-0, it is not okay," he told Hearts.TV.

"This is the biggest deficit that we've had under my regime here at Hearts.

"But we must look at the differences between the players.

"You saw the opponent at this level, at international level, he plays a different football."

Hearts were undone by Papadopoulos and the outstanding Pedro Morales.

Laszlo said: "You have two strikers which are at international level. They cost £12million-£15million and you saw why."

Laszlo believes tonight's result was a combination of a fine Dinamo performance and a poor one from his side.

"We didn't play very well and Dinamo Zagreb were very good," he said, before promising fans an improved display in next week's second leg.

"The supporters have suffered more than anybody and I am also sad for the supporters.

"But I hope at Tynecastle we can give something back and I hope our supporters will also be at the next games.

"At the moment, definitely the team is in charge and we must look to win the next game at home."

Before Thursday's return match, Hearts must pick themselves up for Sunday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League visit of Rangers, having already lost their SPL opener at Dundee United.

"We have now also a very heavy game against Rangers," Laszlo said.

"We lost four goals here and two goals against Dundee (United); we don't score any.

"I said before without strikers you can't do anything and this today has become the reality."

Laszlo refused to concede the tie, saying: "If you lose at this level 4-0, it is not easy to qualify for the next round but you must do everything that is possible."

But he is already challenging his players to make up for tonight's performance by qualifying for Europe again next year.

"If we fly out, we must look at the league to qualify next year," he said.

Laszlo substituted summer signing Ismael Bouzid at half-time tonight and revealed the defender was still feeling the effects of a recent shoulder problem.

"Ismael was injured with his shoulder before the game," Laszlo said.

"He had a problem and for this we got him out."