Hearts player sparks Tynecastle thinking after 'really strong' performances in unusual department
The Hearts star faces a nervous wait to see if he’s ready for Sunday’s big game.
Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken has praised one Gorgie ace adapting to his new role - amid a nervous injury wait.
Forward Rogers Mato has been a standout star in a surprising position over the last week. He filled in at left-back against Mo Salah in battling versus Trabzonspor and then swapped sides at Motherwell a few days later, again impressing. He went down in Wednesday’s Premiership draw against Rangers during the first half with injury, ahead of Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final with Hibs.
Vrancken insisted post-match thar for the moment, Mato’s position is ‘as a defender,’ but there are obvious attacking qualities where he naturally fits in. He reckons it’s harder to control the ace coming from deep but what the future holds remains to be seen.
What has Rogers Mato achieved at Hearts?
He said: “We know his qualities, of course. We know it's not his usual position. But when you see his performances in those positions, I have to say, it's really strong. We know that he has these qualities to do really well. Even from this position, it's harder sometimes for opposition to control him because he comes from further with a lot of speed.
"So yeah, happy with what he does at the moment, and we'll see what the future will bring. Rogers is a really good guy with a good mentality, with a lot of intensity. And also a guy who wants to learn, who wants to get better. I'm really happy to work with him and that he makes the steps.
“Even when he was not playing at the beginning, he was eager to learn what we expect and how to get better in our way of playing. You see when you work hard, when you keep a good vibe, a good spirit, then your time will come."
Teammate Josh McPake has also had his eye caught by the speedster. He said: “Mato's brilliant. He's brilliant around the place. Great lad. Obviously, he's been waiting a wee bit of his chance. I feel like he's done really, really well. He came off on Wednesday. I didn't speak to him, so I'm not sure what happened or anything like that, but he's been brilliant for us.”
Michael Stewart on Rogers Mato
Former Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart has been equally impressed and insists Vrancken will now feel able to fully the trust the versatile Ugandan international. He added on the Premier Sports Social Club: “Rogers Mato can go anywhere on the park really, I mean genuinely, anywhere, stick him anywhere. It gets to that stage where you do really start to think... he looks like such an infectious character as well.
“Where he's just so bubbly and positive and somebody that you can really warm to, that he's the sort of guy you want in your team. Yeah, absolutely. He'll definitely have gained the trust of the manager. He’ll have no second thoughts about going ‘Rogers, I need you to do a job.’ No problem, job's done.”