Amid ongoing crisis talk about the lack of native players featuring prominently for Scotland's biggest clubs, it was refreshing to see two domestic talents light up Tynecastle on a big European night.
McPake, the player of the season in St Johnstone's Championship title win last season, fully announced himself as a Hearts player with a display full of pace, trickery, and crucially end product.
Even before he escaped into the box to find the leveller, the 24-year-old was relentless in getting down the left-hand side and flashing balls into the box.
However, it was Wilson who ended up stealing the show with his rocket six minutes after replacing the ineffective Pierre Landry Kabore. It was a statement from the teenager that he has a big part to play, despite talk he may be on the move.
Unfortunately for Vrancken, though, his new-look and makeshift defence continues to leak goals. That's now 19 in just eight games.
They were undone by another set-piece, and Jordi Altena looks uncomfortable defending at right-back.
There is mitigation, of course. Injuries at the back have hampered the Belgian whilst implementing a new attacking style, all while facing a lot of high quality opposition in Benfica, Sturm Graz, and Rapid.
Goalkeeper Beau Reus does look a great signing, though, as he made two more fantastic saves when the game was goalless.
Overall, though, Hearts need to strike more of a balance between attack and defence if they want to make it through this tie, and have a succesful season overall.