Hearts manager Daniel Stendel reveals how he changed approach to beat Rangers and Hibs

German coach has adapted his style to suit the players at Tynecastle

Daniel Stendel's Hearts team are trying to build momentum after beating Rangers and Hibs

Daniel Stendel today admitted he had to alter Hearts’ all-out-attacking gameplan to achieve successive wins against Rangers and Hibs.

The Tynecastle side looked notably more stable in both matches after weeks of disjointed defensive displays.

Supporters are buoyed by both results and celebrated wildly after Tuesday’s 3-1 victory in the Edinburgh derby at Easter Road.

That result increased hopes of avoiding relegation with a place in the Scottish Cup semi-finals already secure.

Stendel revealed how coaching staff decided a change of approach was necessary following last month’s 2-2 home draw with relegation rivals Hamilton.

“We needed to change things after the Hamilton game. It was very difficult for us to keep scoring more goals than we conceded,” he told the Evening News.

“This was a team reason. We tried to do things in training. We dropped some things back because you can only do what you want to do when the situation is ready.

“We looked more at how we can play at the moment, what our strengths are at the moment. We fitted this style to the team more.

“It is a process from everyone. We looked at what we can change and, as I said, this is also a new situation for me. I got a lot of experiences in the last couple of weeks from my work.

“It doesn’t matter what you do, you need to take the team and the players with you. This is what we have done in the last two weeks.

“You can see how the players are playing together and fighting together. They realise the situation more – that we only have a chance as a team.”

Stendel remains convinced Hearts can avoid relegation from the Premiership as he prepares for another massive league game against Motherwell this weekend.

“I believed it before the Hibs game, no matter the result,” he added. “It gives us a lift that we have won two times in a row. This has not happened much this season. It is only one step, though.”