Exclusive:Hearts find a new midfield option after relentless injuries
Jordi Altena’s display against Trabzonspor may herald a fresh approach
Jordi Altena has played in midfield a handful of times since joining Hearts from RKC Waalwijk at the start of the year. While signed primarily as a right-back, there is now mounting evidence that he is more prosperous and more effective as a central midfielder. His performance in Thursday’s UEFA Conference League tie at Trabzonspor merely backed up such assertions.
Altena grew up playing midfield in the Netherlands and only converted to defence in 2024. His prowess there convinced Hearts to pay Waalwijk more than £500,000 to sign him, and he has enjoyed some decent displays at right-back since arriving in Edinburgh. That said, there is an argument that he seems better suited to midfield with his passing range, spatial awareness and technical ability.
Hearts’ current injury crisis leaves eight first-team players injured or doubtful for Sunday’s Premiership match at Motherwell. Consequently, Altena and his team-mates will simply need to play where they are required. Christian Borchgrevink injured a hamstring in Trabzon so Altena may find himself shunted back into defence. The Dutchman is still only 22 and versatile enough to cope. His long-term Hearts future may well lie in the middle of the park once everyone is fit.
Altena spoke exclusively to the Edinburgh News about his position and how he sees the situation. “Of course, it's different again. I think it's more difficult to switch from what I had, going from midfield to right-back. It's easier to go from midfield to right-back than from right-back to midfield,” he explained. “In midfield, you need to scan more because you're in the middle of the pitch, so it's just different. But, as I'm saying, I've always played there.
“When the coach came to me and said I needed to play in midfield against Trabzonspor, I was like: ‘Okay, fine, I'll do it.’ I think it went okay. I've told him that before as well. He knows that because he knows my profile from the past. Now, unfortunately, with Borch’s injury, we hope it's not too bad so we can look forward. I'll play wherever he wants me to play and wherever the team needs me.”
A confident passer of the ball, Altena can control possession from the central area. Hearts coach Wouter Vrancken wants technically-sound players who will play forward at a high tempo from midfield. Altena fits the criteria. “I think in this system I can play my own game quite well, with my passing, dribbling and playing my part on the ball,” he said. “But, of course, in midfield, you can be slightly more involved in the final third, so that's maybe something that's better about playing in midfield. However, I think both right-back and midfield are positions that suit me.”
Hearts didn’t look intimidated in Turkiye and restored some pride by matching Trabzonspor for long spells. If last Sunday’s 7-1 defeat at Celtic was a shock to the system, they didn’t let it show. “I think we played a good game. We showed some guts because it's a difficult place to come to,” commented Altena. “Of course, football has its bad moments, and when the game finished, we had the feeling that we could have done more. But I think, at the end of the day, we need to look at the positives, especially after Sunday. So I think we can look back on this performance positively.
“We were there to play. We weren't scared. I don't think they were better than us. It's only in these small moments that you see the difference between those teams. But I think we did very well, and we just need to keep going. Of course, we need to make the difference in these moments as well and score some goals, but I think we can move forward from this performance.”
Hearts must overcome adversity again if they are to earn a result at Fir Park and remain third in the Scottish Premiership table. Injury problems won’t clear in a couple of days and players know they must show resilience. “I think, when you look at the injuries, it's always bad luck. Especially with the injuries we've had over the last couple of weeks, it's bad luck,” said Altena.
“It's really frustrating for the guys who have been injured, for sure, but also for the team itself because you want to stay together as a team. I think that, if you look at the players who are injured, they're important players as well, if you know what I mean? So it's a shame, it's a shame, but we need to keep going. We can't do anything about it, and it's part of football. We'll see what happens over the next few weeks.”
The next few weeks are unforgiving amid a punishing schedule of games. Hearts follow their trip to Fir Park by hosting Rangers, facing Hibs in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final, then flying to Switzerland to face FC Thun before playing Falkirk at Tynecastle. Altena is determined to embrace the intensity of the fixture list.
“I think this is what you play football for, especially these European games, coming to stadiums and places like Trabzon. I think that's what you dream of when you're a kid,” he said. “Of course, you want results and you want wins. That's something that's going to come, and we need to improve for sure.
“It already feels like we've had a lot of games since the break. How many games do we still have? It’s still five [until November’s international break], so it's not over yet, and we need to keep going. But, as I'm saying, I'm enjoying it. I hope most of the guys stay fit so we can keep going as a team and continue improving.”