Hearts star tipped to bounce back from pride-bruising adversity by Jambos hero who's been there and done it
The Hearts star had a difficult weekend away to Kilmarnock but has been backed to respond.
He’s walked in similar shoes during a moment he thought meant the end - and Christophe Berra insists Stuart Findlay has the mettle to recover from his bruising Hearts experience at Kilmarnock.
The experienced centre-back was subbed in the first half during last weekend’s Premiership draw in Ayrshire with head coach Wouter Vrancken making tactical changes. Hearts were 1-0 down at the time before Harry Milne replaced Findlay and Stephen Kingsley eventually found a later equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw. Berra, who made over 200 appearances for the club over two spells, was in the same position during a trip to St Mirren in 2006.
Jambos gaffer of that time, Valdas Ivanauskas, subbed the defender before half-time with Hearts trailing 2-1 following a testing first 45. That match ended 2-2 and Berra - who’d eventually leave in a seven-figure deal with Wolves - reckons Findlay has the know-how to come through the tough moment like he did.
Christophe Berra on Stuart Findlay
Berra said: "It's going to hurt. It's going to hurt his pride. I remember when I was breaking into Hearts, I think I was maybe 20-years-old, I got hauled away to St Mirren. I got taken off after about 20 minutes and I thought my career was over! But then I was back in the team three games later and then two or three seasons later, I moved to Wolves for £2.5 million.
“Yes, it will hurt, it would hurt anyone coming off, it doesn't matter walking off the pitch, live on TV as well, it's going to hurt your pride, it's going to hurt your ego, but Stuart's been around the block a long time. He'll dust himself down, he seems a good character, and he'll get on with it and he'll come through this.”
Vrancken’s Hearts system puts an emphasis on attacking football and long balls over the top have proven an Achilles heel in recent matches. Kilmarnock, Falkirk and Dundee have all netted from such situations but Berra insists teething issues are natural, given the move away from previous boss Derek McInnes’ more pragmatic style. The former Scotland international feels Vrancken may not have settled on his favoured backline either as Hearts remain in a comfortable third place position.
Berra explained: “I think under McInnes, there's probably more protection, probably defending a bit deeper at times and defending the box. They’re probably dominating the ball more, we're pressing higher to a certain extent in certain games and more games, so you're going to leave more spacing behind you.
How have Hearts changed under Wouter Vrancken?
“Yes, it may suit a different profile of player. I still do think the manager has probably not settled on his preferred back line yet. if you look at team suits, they've probably changed a lot. However, they've still got results, they've done well in games and they're ticking it away nicely. I think the expectations of las year and doing so well, a loss and a draw, it seems it's the end of the world, but they're still up there in third place and not too far off the top spot.”
Added protection is always welcomed by defensive stars but Berra feels more pressure being placed upon them at Tynecastle could see the cream of the crop rise to the surface. They perhaps have more eyes on them when things go wrong but that is something the club hero feels comes with the territory of their position. That’s why a not too high or low approach is viewed as key.
Berra added: "I think if you ask any defender, they'd always like help and protection, but again, that's just the way the manager plays football. Ultimately, that will separate you from an average defender to a really good defender at times. That ability to be able to handle one-on-one situations. It's not all about physicality, it's not always about pace and speed, it's about reading the game as well and knowing when to step and when to drop off, and just to engage what the next step is going to be.
“I think in this modern day and age, the way the manager is playing, there are times and I've seen them play this season, they're very well set up, but when they're attacking, they're going to leave themselves open. It's a team game, individuals will get exposed at times, but unfortunately, that's just the nature of the beast and when you're a defender, there's going to be ups and downs and you've got to take the good with the bad.”
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