Hearts manager Wouter Vrancken has admitted the club needs to make full use of their friendly matches to quickly reach Champions League standard. The Jambos face Livingston on Friday evening, followed by games against Arbroath and Rayo Vallecano.
Pre-Season Schedule and Player Fitness
Vrancken has had just one closed-doors game against St Mirren so far and knows he must get his side up to speed for their trip to Austria to take on Sturm Graz on 21st August. “Yes, we have to see what we can do because I hope that we can fit in a few other ones because we need the minutes for everybody,” Vrancken said. “But at the same time you have to work to Sturm Graz to find the team that will perform there.”
He added that the Rayo Vallecano game, the first at Tynecastle this season, is an opportunity for players to showcase themselves before the fans, but it is close to the Sturm Graz fixture. “It's a little bit of managing minutes,” he explained. “But at the same time they have to be ready to go full 90 minutes also on that Tuesday.”
Additional Friendly and Squad Adjustments
Hearts travel to Livingston, have Colin Hamilton's testimonial at Arbroath on Tuesday, and a home game against Rayo Vallecano. Vrancken has added another pre-season friendly against Raith Rovers, sandwiched between the two Sturm Graz matches. The Belgian felt his side did not have enough games in their summer schedule.
After returning from their Spanish training camp, Vrancken noted that he had to play several players out of position. Oisin McEntee, primarily a defender under Derek McInnes, is now being considered as a centre-midfielder by Vrancken. “I think Oisin is for me a centre-midfielder,” he said. Yan Dhanda, who was on loan at Dundee last season, has caught the eye and could salvage his Hearts career. “Yan is also a centre-midfielder for me,” Vrancken added.
Alexander Schwolow Transfer Speculation
There has been speculation about a possible return to Germany for goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow. Vrancken expects his No. 1 to remain at Tynecastle. “No, I couldn't hear the rumour yet. Now I hear it,” he said, dismissing the rumours.
