Wouter Vrancken Encouraged By Hearts Preparation Ahead of Champions League Qualification Campaign | OneFootball

Wouter Vrancken believes Hearts are beginning to produce exactly what he has been demanding as attention turns fully towards Tuesday night’s Champions League qualifier against Sturm Graz.

The Belgian head coach – who replaced Derek McInnes this summer – was encouraged by a impressive pre-season display at Tynecastle with victory of La Liga side Rayo Vallecano and says the progress made over recent weeks has strengthened his belief that the squad is embracing his ideas.

Having watched his side evolve steadily since the opening friendly against St Mirren, Vrancken feels the improvements are becoming increasingly evident.

“I was confident before because they are so involved and they are so eager to have feedback and to learn new things,” he said.

“But you don’t know the time frame. You don’t know when they are ready. But you see the progression. You see the progression when you start at St Mirren towards today.

“You see a lot of progression in what we want to see. I can’t ask for more from them. Also intensity.

“You see some guys also individually growing during the game. It’s nice to see this.”

The performance has also handed Vrancken a welcome selection headache ahead of Hearts’ European opener.

Rather than confirming a settled starting eleven, the manager admits several players have forced their way into contention, while stressing that squad depth will be crucial as the fixtures begin to pile up.

“Today made it more difficult, luckily,” he said.

“For sure you want to see some guys standing up and taking responsibility and showing themselves.

“We need more players than 11 players to play all those games. We make the decisions and also we look to the fatigue and all those things together what they can handle to start or to come in.

“We will need everybody in those games. We know that not everybody can go for 90 minutes full. So we need everybody in the team to help us.”

One player to enhance his chances was summer signing Amadou Ba-Sy, whose first 45-minute appearance against Vallecano heralded two goals as he impressed despite only recently recovering from illness.

Vrancken acknowledged the striker is still building his fitness but believes getting on the scoresheet will do wonders for his confidence.

“Very happy because it’s his first 45 minutes after a difficult start for him here, being sick and stuff,” he said.

“He’s making step-by-step progression also in the volume and condition-wise.

“You saw after 35 minutes that it dropped a little bit in intensity and volume. But this is normal.

“But it’s good for him when you score goals as an attacker. It gives confidence.”

Amadou’s encouraging display came too late to influence Hearts’ initial Champions League squad submission, although Vrancken hinted changes may still be possible.

“He had no minutes at this moment,” he said.

“I think there is still a possibility to change some things. One or two, I don’t know the right rules. We have to check it.

“No matter what, it’s good for him that he has this feeling again for the fans. He can be there. That’s important.”

Compiling the European squad was one of the toughest decisions Vrancken has faced since arriving at Tynecastle, particularly given several players had limited opportunities to stake their claim before Thursday’s deadline.

“It’s very difficult,” he admitted.

“It’s a pity that a lot of players couldn’t show themselves as much as they want because we had to give the list on Thursday.

“Some guys I saw two times 45 minutes or 45 and 60 minutes. But that’s not real minutes to show something.

“But OK, you make a decision. I talked with everybody. I’m really honest and open in my decision-making and the reasons behind.”

Hearts have also strengthened their goalkeeping department with the arrival of Beau Reus, whom Vrancken believes has the qualities to become an important player, while insisting current goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow remains fully focused on Tuesday’s tie.

“Beau is a good goalkeeper,” he said.

“He was champion last year in the second division in Belgium. He has a lot of qualities.

“Big shoes to fill actually. But we have to support him.

“I think he has the qualities to be a very important player for us and take the spot of Alex.

“But again, until now, Alex is still here. He will fight with us in the Sturm Graz games. Now the focus is still on that.”

Saturday’s match also provided Vrancken with his first taste of a Tynecastle atmosphere, and he admitted it lived up to expectations.

“It was amazing,” he said.

“I was looking forward to this. I liked the atmosphere very much.

“Not only when we scored the goals or when we created chances. Also, the good defensive stuff.

“They were behind us and they’re close on the pitch. It was an amazing feeling.”

With the friendly programme complete, Hearts’ focus is now fixed entirely on Sturm Graz. While the players have been given a day to recover, Vrancken and his staff will spend the coming days immersed in analysis of the Austrian champions.

“We watched them already a few weeks, of course,” he said.

“Not only the friendlies, it’s always been Sturm Graz also, to analyse them and to speak about them.

“It’s going to be long days. It’s a free day for the players, but not for the staff.”

After several weeks of implementing his methods, Vrancken believes Hearts are approaching one of the biggest matches of their season with growing momentum, fierce competition for places and the backing of a Tynecastle crowd he cannot wait to experience on a European night.