Blair Spittal believes the reaction of Hearts fans to Thursday's draw with Benfica is proof that harmony has been restored under new head coach Wouter Vrancken. The midfielder, who has captained the side in the last two games, says the backing from the stands has replaced the boos that followed the Champions League exit to Sturm Graz.
Change in mood at Tynecastle
The mood at Tynecastle has shifted quickly in the last two weeks. Spittal felt the change after the high-tempo draw with Benfica, which came too late to salvage their Europa League hopes following a 6-1 first-leg defeat in Lisbon.
The boos from the Sturm Graz loss 16 days earlier were replaced by the kind of support that helped Hearts top the charts for much of last season. Combined with the 4-0 win over Dundee United last Sunday, it was the clearest sign yet that Hearts are back on track.
Learning under the new manager
Spittal said: "I think the fans could see that at the end on Thursday. The way they stayed behind and clapped us off, we can see that. The boys are giving everything, we're learning every day under the new manager."
He added: "Thursday was the best defensively we've been. It felt comfortable against a top-quality side. We learned our lessons in terms of when to press, when not to."
Cup ambitions and captain's role
This afternoon's League Cup last-16 clash with Inverness offers a first chance to improve on last season's cup performances, which ended at the first knockout hurdle in both competitions. Spittal is determined to make the home tie count.
The 30-year-old, now in his third season at the club, is set to lead the team out again with Harry Milne and Stephen Kingsley struggling through injury and Craig Halkett out until the new year. He said: "It's up to the ones that have been here to step up. If I wasn't given the armband, I'd still try my hardest to give messages across to the boys and encourage."
