Exclusive:Hearts prepare for the real Oisin McEntee after latest changes
Irishman explains a different approach under Wouter Vrancken
Oisin McEntee repeatedly playing right-back was a bone of contention for some Hearts fans throughout last season. Signed from Walsall as a central midfielder last summer, the Irishman’s versatility was fully utilised by former manager Derek McInnes. From right-back to centre-back, to right midfield and centre midfield, McEntee fairly got about the place.
He hopes to be more settled this year under McInnes’ replacement, Wouter Vrancken. The Belgian selected him in his favoured central midfield role for both legs of the Champions League second qualifying round against Sturm Graz. McEntee is still digesting what Vrancken wants but is confident of producing consistent form with a sustained run in the middle.
“I'm enjoying being back in midfield,” he told the Edinburgh News. “Obviously, last season I was playing right-back and it was an unnatural position for me, but I'm enjoying being back in the middle. We obviously keep the ball a lot more on the ground and have little patterns of play, but I just enjoy getting forward, getting on the ball and playing it wide.
“I think it was a brilliant season last year for me personally and for the team. I said loads of times that I don't mind where I play as long as I'm on the pitch. I feel like it was difficult because I was bouncing from position to position. I had a long spell at right-back, then I'd be going into midfield for a game, into centre-back, into right midfield. It was hard to get into a rhythm in one position and to keep seeing those little pictures in your head.”
It is no coincidence that one of McEntee’s most influential games for Hearts came last December’s at Celtic Park. He scored a header and was the best player in the pitch as the visitors beat Celtic 2-1. “I'm looking forward to this season. Hopefully I'll get a lot of games in midfield and hopefully the gaffer keeps seeing me as that midfielder,” he added. “It's all about improving every day and working hard. I'm in a different role now. I think the gaffer just wants me to protect the back four and, when the team is attacking, to get up the pitch with them, while being aware of counter-attacks. When I get the ball, it's about moving it quickly.”
A 6-0 aggregate defeat by Sturm leaves Hearts dropping into the Europa League’s third qualifying round. Vrancken is determined to instil a high-tempo style of play but will require patience from players and fans. “Yes, definitely,” said McEntee. “It's been new for the whole squad and, as I said, it's a change of style of play. It's just about learning every day, seeing what the gaffer wants and trying to implement it.
“There have definitely been glimpses of some very good stuff across both games against Sturm Graz. We had them penned in for long periods in both games and if we can clean things up in both boxes and just be a bit more rigid, then we'll be a tough team to play against. The coaches have been brilliant, giving us patterns of play and telling us what they want people to do – getting out of a space and someone else coming into it. That's what we've been practising every day and, in the games, you can feel yourself that it is working and there are opportunities to do it.
“I think we can take a lot from the two performances. Obviously, Sturm Graz are a very good team. They're rated very highly in Europe and we created a lot of chances against them. If we take our chances in the first game, you don't know what can happen. There are obviously some negatives, but I think we're all trying to do the right things. It's a big change of style of play from last year. I think if we keep creating chances and just add the finishing touches, we can get goals and games can go differently.”
Switching from the Champions League arena to the Scottish Premiership can be quite a stark contrast, but that is what Hearts must do now. Saturday evening brings their opening league game against Aberdeen at Pittodrie. The two clubs met in their first fixture of last season at Tynecastle, when Hearts won 2-0 to begin an unbeaten run in the top flight. It only ended at Pittodrie in November.
Ten years have passed since the Edinburgh club last won away to Aberdeen, dating back to Abiola Dauda’s winner in a 1-0 victory in 2016. Stephen Robinson has been busy reshaping his squad in the north east and they are certain to provide a stern test after winning all four of their Premier Sports Cup group matches. “I think it's so important,” stated McEntee. “It's the first game in the league and we did so well last year, so we need to focus on the game this weekend against Aberdeen. It's a huge game. I think that's the life of a footballer. You just need to focus on the next one.
“Everyone wants to win every game. You're playing against top opposition and you want to play in the Champions League, but I think you just have to look at the positives and try your best to implement that new style of play. It's a tough one, but I think as the weeks go on we'll just keep improving. It's now back to your domestic league and Scottish football is obviously a physical league. You need to win battles, especially up in Aberdeen. It's a tough place to go. It's going to be a big atmosphere and I think everyone just has to be ready to win those battles. Then you can play the nice football.”