DUSAN Tadic revealed that the Saints players are hurting just as much the supporters after their embarrassing exit from the Europa League.

Saints were eliminated in miserable fashion after a 1-1 draw with Israeli champions Hapoel Be’er Sheva at St Mary’s last night.

All Claude Puel’s side needed was a goalless draw to go through, but a Maor Buzaglo goal on 79 minutes left Saints with the almost insurmountable task of netting two goals in the final throes of what had largely been an incredibly dull affair.

Virgil van Dijk slammed home a 91st minute leveller, but Saints failed to find the crucial second that would have sent them through to the last 32.

“We are disappointed,” said Tadic. “We didn’t expect this. I was sure we would go through, but this happened. It’s really painful.

“I think we should have gone through before. We should have finished that before [in other games]. We shouldn’t have waited for tonight.

“We had a good situation after the Inter game. It’s a big disappointment. We need to see the good things and the bad things and keep going."

Tadic admitted that it was one of the lowest points of his time at Saints and stated that everyone is hurting.

“Yes, like I say, it’s a really painful for everyone at Southampton, for the players, the fans, everyone,” he said.

“It’s painful for everyone because we should have gone through.”

Hapoel scored with their only shot on target to send Saints out and Tadic admitted that was hard to swallow that they needlessly put themselves in such an impossible situation.

He said: “They had one shot and scored a goal. It’s difficult. We needed two goals. We had two chances after that, but it’s much better if you score a first half goal. It’s much easier then.”

Saints now want to get back into Europe next season.

Tadic said: “We hope [to get back to Europe], but first we need to beat some team and take points. This is most important now.”