Wouter Vrancken is cramming ahead of his first big test as Hearts boss, with just 10 days until the Champions League qualifier against Sturm Graz. Eight new signings have arrived, eight first-team players have left, and less than four weeks separate his appointment from the crucial tie.
Double-Header Friendlies
To accelerate preparations, Hearts played two friendly matches less than 12 hours apart on Friday. Vrancken liked some of what he saw in the 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock in the morning session at the Oriam, but was less impressed with the 2-1 defeat at Livingston in the evening. New boys were split across both games, with Stuart Findlay returning from injury to gain vital minutes.
Landry Kabore and summer arrival Malachi Fagan-Walcott scored against Kilmarnock, with a third goal coming off an opposition player. In West Lothian, French midfielder Tom Renaud capped a promising 60-minute run-out with a consolation goal against Livingston.
Time Crunch
With nine days until the Champions League qualifier in Graz, Vrancken knows he must identify his strongest XI. Two more friendlies are scheduled this week—against Arbroath on Tuesday and Rayo Vallecano on Friday. Vrancken said: “We have to go a little bit in that direction, of course. The preparation towards Sturm Graz is really, really short. And we’ve not had so many friendlies. I saw every player for like 45 and 60 minutes. So it's not a lot.”
He added: “It’s good to have 70 minutes in the legs and then the last 20 with the young guys. In the morning we played against Kilmarnock, also 90. Same style, 60-70 minutes and 20-30 for the young guys. Of course the morning game is a better feeling because when you win 3-1, it's a better feeling. Against Livingston, I think the goals were too easy but we didn't give too much away. We had a lot of good opportunities. But then we have to speed up a little bit in two weeks because of the Champions League game.”
Sturm Graz Threat
Like Hearts, Sturm Graz finished second in the Austrian Bundesliga last season, missing the title by two points. Vrancken has studied Fabio Ingolitsch’s side, highlighting star man Otar Kiteishvili, who provides goal threat behind frontmen Seedy Jetta and Maurice Malone. “Yeah, a good team. Also physically strong. Two good strikers and in position 10, real quality there. So we have to be really good. We have to fit together,” Vrancken said.
He noted areas for improvement: “Like Friday against Livingston, for example, a lot of times I was happy what I wanted to do. But the 50-50 duels, the loose balls in between, we were not man enough at some moments there to really take the game and just give them no chance. So we have to improve on a few things for sure. It's normal after only two weeks or so. But like I said - we have to be ready.”
Player Updates
Vrancken confirmed that Tom Renaud is still adapting after moving from Versailles in the French third tier. Calvin Miller, who started centrally behind Claudio Braga against Livingston, looks match sharp and will return to his more accustomed wide role for the competitive matches. Oisin McEntee, who lined up in central defence against Livingston, will revert to midfield. Vrancken said: “It's just managing the minutes with the players we have and the positions we have. Stuart Findlay is not top, top fit. He's coming, he played 20-30 minutes on Friday morning. I think Oisin did really good at centre back. But I see him as a midfielder, centre midfielder. Same with Calvin, I think his best position is on the side.”
Of Renaud, he added: “I’m happy what Tom’s showing. I'm happy at his improvements. It's a guy who needs some time to adapt. And also with the kind of football, because lower leagues and a different country or a different style of play, totally different style of play. So we have to adapt there. But it's good to see that he brings the positive. Also, the goal, I think it's good for his self-confidence. So, yeah, hopefully he can keep making those steps.”
