Hearts learn lessons in adversity ahead of Champions League clashes as Wouter Vrancken prepares for hostility

Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken says a meeting with Arbroath provided some key lessons ahead of their Champions League second round qualifier versus Sturm Graz

The Jambos played out a 2-1 friendly win over the Championship side in Colin Hamilton’s testimonial. Hearts are less than a week out from beginning their competitive campaign in Austria on July 21 and have a final pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano this Friday at Tynecastle to get up to speed ahead of it.

Pierre Landy Kabore netted in the first half at Gayfield as several first team players got another hour of action under their belts and some played the entire match. Alexandros Kyziridis netted the winner with Hearts stars tested on a difficult dry surface. With a full stadium and lively home supporters against them next week, Vrancken believes it was a good test in dealing with adversity, as hostility could come abroad.

How are Hearts preparing for Champions League matches?

“Difficult circumstances, especially when you want to play football,” said Vrancken. “You see the guys who like to play in combination and sometimes dribble,. It's difficult to take touches on the dry pitch, so the circumstances weren't perfect. But what's very important is that you be above the circumstances, that you put yourself above this.

“The other circumstances, maybe next week, full stadium, hostile atmosphere or something, you have to also be above those circumstances and still play your game. They stayed in the game and pity for Yan Dhanda with the mistake there (for Arbroath’s goal). I'm happy because we also worked very hard the last few days and now we have to de-load and be as fresh as possible in Graz.”

There were some attacking elements that Vrancken wants cleaned up but he was happy with how his stars persisted as fatigue kicked in. There was plenty for him to be encouraged by and playing a full game is part of that as a busy start to competitive matches looms around the corner.

Blair Spittal played the entire game. | SNS Group

How did Hearts get on in friendly vs Arbroath?

“I thought we started okay with a lot of dominance, but the last third of the pitch was too static,” Vrancken added. “In the game you felt it was more dynamic in the first half. The second part of the first half I think, was good with a lot of more runs and then you also create more opportunities, more chances to score.

“It was good and then you see it dropping a little bit again when the fatigue came in. We have to work on this as much as possible. But like I said, 90 minutes, you saw Blair Spittal also the first time 90 minutes. It's good because we need it also next week. So it's good that we got it.”