Wouter Vrancken has told Hearts to go all in and produce a “magical and historical” night to save their Champions League dream. The Belgian knows it will take a close to perfect performance to overturn last week’s 4-0 first leg defeat against Sturm Graz.
Belgian's comeback experience
Vrancken has experience of big comebacks and insists the power of Tynecastle can help ensure a night for the ages in Gorgie. The manager was at Genk when they came back from a 3-0 half time deficit against Sint-Truidense in 2023 to clinch a 3-3 draw. Although an even bigger fightback is required, Vrancken believes anything is possible.
“For sure, it's difficult when you're four goals behind,” he said. “We have to go for a magical, historic night. That's the aim because you can't go into a game and just play the game. We have to go all in.”
Need for efficiency
Vrancken stressed the importance of being clinical in both boxes. “It’ll have to be pretty close to perfect, especially in terms of efficiency. When you want to make up four goals, everything has to go right, particularly in both boxes. You have to be really clinical in both boxes when you want to score four goals without conceding one.”
Reflecting on the first leg, where Hearts had 67% possession but lost 4-0 due to poor defending and wasteful finishing, he said: “We have to leave that behind us and make sure we're a little bit better in the boxes tomorrow.”
Full stadium backing
Vrancken is looking forward to a packed Tynecastle. “I have no doubt they're going to be behind us for the full game. We have to do the same. Let's go for that first goal and then we'll see.”
He admitted some players need to step up after watching them scrape a 1-0 win over Raith Rovers in a friendly. Christian Borchegrevink is struggling with a knock, while forwards Sabri Guendouz and Amadou Ba-Sy are in contention to start.
“I think there are players pushing,” Vrancken said. “Some guys need to step up while others maybe need more time to adapt. The 11 players on the pitch tomorrow all have to believe in a special night.”
