Wouter Vrancken has warned that Hearts are facing one of the top teams in Danish football in Nordsjaelland. The in-form Danes head to Tynecastle for their Conference League group opener on Thursday evening.
Quality opposition
Nordsjaelland sit fourth in the Superliga just six points behind leaders FC Copenhagen. Vrancken knows that shows the quality that the Jambos face.
The Belgian warned: “Thursday again, is an against a side who are really good and have a lot of energy. They are competing against Copenhagen and Midtjylland for the championship. They are a good side, but again we have to look at ourselves. We need to put the energy in and show ourselves in Europe.”
Nordsjaelland have also shown their European quality, coming through the Conference League qualifying rounds. They have seen off GAIS, Valur and St Gallen in the play-offs.
Busy schedule
Hearts now have a gruelling schedule between now and Christmas as they juggle their European and domestic commitments. They face trips to take on Trabzonspor, Thun and Pafos.
Vrancken knows it will be challenging but won’t be complaining, as that is what top clubs have to endure. The Hearts head coach insisted: “We fought hard to get there, so we aren’t going to complain about these games we have to play. I think it is better. It is worse when you are a top team and you are not playing in these games. We have fought hard for it and we won’t complain about the schedule.”
Hearts warmed up with a five-goal thumping of St Mirren.
Confidence boost
Vrancken was delighted and knows it will have given his troops a shot in the arm. He claimed: “It is very important to know what is coming. If you can sort the first game with a win, a good intention and good vibe then it is very important for then ext games coming.
“It was very important to start well and get a result. The vibe is good and hopefully gives us more confidence and a vibe going forward.
“When we play a good game I am always happy to see my team play well. “In and out of possession we played a good game against St Mirren. “Hopefully, it gives every confidence to the next games that are coming.”
Hearts went within minutes of winning the Premiership last season. The new boss has taken them clear in third place. They are also the top scorers in the top-flight with 19 goals.
Vrancken beamed: “Even on Saturday we could have scored more. Even the two games before the break we had to score and especially the last one (Kilmarnock) and to get a result there.
“We are looking forward and just happy we created on Saturday. There are still areas to improve and to create more. The mentality and the vibe is very good. They are pushing and trying to take that next step to the game on Thursday.
“I am happy to see. Hopefully, it will give the boys confidence scoring five goals and keeping the clean sheet.”
Squad depth
Hearts have a big squad but Vrancken is well aware that will be stretched to the limit over the next three months. He knows it’s not just about starters but finishers and even those who aren’t playing but are pushing the other on.
Vrancken acknowledged: “It is very important that the players know that we need everybody. When you play so many games, nine in four weeks.
“We saw from July to September we need a lot of players there to compete and be on their top level.
“The only thing you can do it push on in training and every session, so you can show yourself and take your spot back. This is a professional footballer. Everybody has to be ready.
“Everyone who came on gave 100% for the team to get a result. That is how a team needs to work.”
