Danny Amankwaa aiming for more Hearts assists and goals

Danny Amankwaa is eager to show his best form

The winger’s cross for David Milinkovic’s winning goal against St Johnstone was a defining moment in the game. Amankwaa says it is also a portent of things to come.

He is still a few games away from peak fitness having not played for two months prior to joining Hearts. An 18-month contract offers plenty time to showcase his talent, and there have been fleeting glimpses in three appearances so far.

Amankwaa intends to produce much more in the very near future. He is a direct and technical wide player whose major asset is searing pace. Saturday’s assist is intended to be the first of many for the former FC Copenhagen protege, who also plans to weigh in with goals.

“It was my first start so I am very happy with an assist. There is more to come, and hopefully goals as well,” he said, speaking exclusively to the Evening News. “I don’t know how many. How many league games do we have left? Twelve? Maybe I can score four or five. That would be good.

“I feel good after Saturday. I was happy and glad to play from the start. I enjoyed the game and it’s always good to win. I have a little bit to go and I can feel that in my body, but it’s coming. I think in two or three games I will be at my best. It should not take me too long.

“I haven’t played that much recently so we have to take it a little bit easy and not overdo it. That’s why I came off against St Johnstone. I felt I had done enough and the coach felt that way too, so it was fine to come off.”

Given he supplied the ball for the winner, which Milinkovic calmly slotted past the St Johnstone goalkeeper Alan Mannus, he did more than enough. Not before a gentle reminder from manager Craig Levein about what his job was, though.

“He asked me to stay wide and provide crosses,” explained Amankwaa. “I didn’t get too many crosses in the first half playing on the right. In the second half, I started on the left side and my first cross led to a goal. That’s what the coach wanted me to do.

“He reminded me at half-time that I had to cross more. I was trying to play wider in the first half but it was difficult. St Johnstone were playing very deep, also, so it was difficult to run in behind them from the outside.

“Sometimes it can be easier for a right-footed player to play on the left. You can use your right foot to come inside and curl the ball. I found it a little bit easier in the second half.”

Asked about his initial impressions of Scottish football, Amankwaa offers an instant reply in common with a lot of foreigners who arrive here. “Duels. A lot of duels,” he said. “Our pitch is not that good so we have to fight. We didn’t play that well on Saturday but we still won. That is the most important thing.

“Sometimes it’s good when the other guys I am playing against are thinking a lot about duels. I’m more of a technical player. Sometimes they are very aggressive, even too aggressive, so it’s easier for me to get past them. That can help me so I am fine with that.”

Hearts’ home surface leaves plenty to be desired at the moment and makes exciting, free-flowing football difficult. Amankwaa is encouraged by a support base which is revelling in an extremely productive winter for their team. Saturday’s result means Levein’s side have lost just one of their last 14 games.

They stay in Gorgie this weekend, too, when St Johnstone are again the visitors. This time it’s the Scottish Cup fifth round. “Tynecastle is a very nice place and the fans are always behind us, so that feels good. Next week we are here again in the cup. Now I know the team we will play against so hopefully I will do better,” said Amankwaa.

Fans are not yet at the point of recognising the 24-year-old in the street. He admits he hasn’t left his hotel much since checking in from Denmark last month. Once he moves into his own flat later this week, he will do some exploring in the Capital.

“My girlfriend was here with me last month but she has gone home. She will come over again in one month.

“I am staying at the hotel at the moment but I get my apartment this week. I am looking forward to moving in and going to see Edinburgh.

“I haven’t seen much of the city so far but I heard a lot about it. I am looking forward to seeing more of it. I have only been in my hotel so far but next week I will go out and look at the city a little bit. We will see if the fans recognise me then. Hopefully they will recognise me if I am getting more assists and goals.”