Hearts plans to prepare for Champions League battles made clear as two friendlies come with Sturm Graz in mind
Hearts are closing in on the start of Champions League qualifiers this month.
Wouter Vrancken says Hearts preparations will turn to Sturm Graz after fitness-building friendly matches so far in pre-season.
The Jambos have faced St Mirren, Kilmarnock and Livingston in warm-up clashes ahead of their Champions League second round qualifier away from home next week. Premiership action begins next month versus Aberdeen and the new head coach will see his team in action against Scottish Championship outfit Arbroath and La Liga club Rayo Vallecano this week.
Previous friendlies were building fitness but now the dial is turned towards preparing fully for their first leg in Austria before the return clash a week later at Tynecastle on July 28. Stars beginning to step up in maroon has left him pleased with the turnaround to the Sturm Graz matches now short.
Wouter Vrancken on Hearts pre-season matches
“We have to go a little bit in that direction, of course,” Vrancken said after watching a 2-1 friendly defeat to Livingston on Friday. “The preparation towards Sturm Graz is really, really short. And not so many friendlies because this is the second and third. But I saw every player like 45 and 60 minutes. So it's not too much or not a lot. So now we have to go a little bit more towards that game. And it's good that we saw some guys who have to step up a little bit and other guys who are really good into it.
“We created a lot of chances. For sure, because you see them still thinking like we talked about in Spain also. So you see them still thinking about things. So it has to be now more natural. And you see like this morning we played a really, really strong first half. So that was really pleasing to see. Here it would give a better feeling also for the players to come into it when you score one or two in this first half.
“Because then it gives more confidence and you have more the flow. So that would be a better feeling also. Not for me. But for the players on the pitch at the moment to do their thing. And now it's a pity, but that's what our preparation is for.”
How are Hearts preparing for Sturm Graz?
Vrancken will take Hearts to Gayfield on Tuesday before the clash with Rayo Vallecano at Tynecastle on Friday. They also play Raith Rovers after the first leg in Austria and the Belgian head coach says that Hearts have to be ready regardless of not having any fitness-building matches on top of what is already booked.
“It's not possible anymore,” Vrancken added on adding more warm-up games to the Hearts schedule. “Because otherwise you play too many games and minutes and it's not possible. So we make the best of it in this game and we have to be ready for Sturm Graz. Simple as that. It's for sure a good team. Also physically strong. Two good strikers. Position 10, either of quality there. So we have to be really good. We have to fit together.
“I think like Friday, for example, a lot of times I was happy what I wanted to do. But like the 50-50 duels, the loose balls in between, we were not man enough at some moments there to really take the game and just give them no chance to come into the game. So we have to improve on a few things for sure. But it's, of course, normal after only a few, two weeks or so. But like I said, we have to be ready.”