Exclusive:Hearts team selection to change, a bounce game decision and some nerves over World Cup qualifiers
SPFL Premiership league leaders are planning for Aberdeen
It is reasonable to assume Hearts’ team selection will be more pragmatic when the Scottish Premiership resumes next weekend. Two potentially-hazardous away trips to Aberdeen and Motherwell are next on the fixture list for the unbeaten league leaders. Four attackers started Sunday’s game against Dundee United, but the 1-1 draw wasn’t the desired outcome. There is time to reflect and reorganise during international fortnight.
Derek McInnes, the Hearts head coach, admitted his starting line-up was bold against United, with forwards Landry Kabore, Lawrence Shankland, Claudio Braga and Alexandros Kyziridis all in the team. It was a top-heavy selection from a manager keen to attack, although it did impact the balance of the side. Gaining control of midfield became difficult, especially without the injured Beni Baningime. McInnes replaced Kabore and full-back Oisin McEntee at half-time to revamp the right side.
He spoke to the Edinburgh News about the initial starting XI and admitted it was slightly too adventurous. Hearts fans, therefore, can expect a touch more caution at Pittodrie and Fir Park. McInnes will always deploy his teams to attack but building concerted pressure often comes from dominating the midfield area. He praised the team’s effort and industry whilst trying to force a winner during Sunday’s second half.
“I don't think anybody was going to give up. There was plenty effort and belief but we allowed ourselves to be a bit rushed,” remarked the manager. “Sometimes you can say the crowd got a bit edgy and that contributed to it but that wasn't the case. The crowd were brilliant. We've earned that trust that something will happen. We were all desperate to get a win, there was so much resting on the game. There was a lot of emotion in the game and on the day [due to Remembrance]. We needed to play with more certainty and calmness.
“We got a bit more control in the second half without showing quality. Dundee United were a tough opponent and we have to accept that we can't have too many being off it. The team selection was bold. In hindsight, maybe too bold, but it was with the right intentions. Kabore has been magnificent in training and scored goals in the previous game. Braga is one who is going to play. With Kabore and Shankland together, and Claudio just off them, we thought we could cause them problems. It wasn't quite there, we have to own that.
“We need to accept that we weren't as good as we normally are and we expect a bit more from ourselves. If we are in a similar situation again, drawing at half-time with the onus on us to do something, just show a bit more trust. That's what the good teams do. They keep doing the right thing and doing the basics right. We have to keep knocking at the door and get concerted pressure because, too often on Sunday, our attacks were too sporadic. Because we made some emotional decisions and got excitable, we allowed United moments to get a bit more encouragement as they broke a few times.
“We needed to be calm, move the ball quicker and keep them hemmed in a bit. We didn't do that enough in the second half. We didn't deserve any more than a point, we've got to be honest with that, but we're still unbeaten after 12 games. To get to 30 points after 12 games, there is clearly a lot going right. We're just disappointed we didn't maximise the opportunity at the weekend.”
Plans to play a closed-door bounce game this afternoon were scrapped earlier in the week. Instead, Hearts will set up an 11 v 11 training game amongst themselves. McInnes is without four senior players who are off representing their countries - Craig Gordon and Lawrence Shankland with Scotland, Cammy Devlin with Australia and Kabore with Burkina Faso. There are some nerves around Riccarton any time players decamp for international duty.
“Craigy and Lawrence play in Glasgow on Tuesday night, so they will come in and we'll be able to get our eyes on them next Wednesday,” explained McInnes. “The other boys, Cammy and Landry, will be travelling on the Wednesday. They will manage a couple of days' training before we travel to Aberdeen, which will be good. You want the international boys to come back with a spring in their step. Hopefully it's a positive experience and an emotional one with Scotland, and hopefully we've qualified for the World Cup and the lads have done well.
“You are always a bit nervous when they go away that they are training where they need to train at and also they don't pick up any injuries. Back here, we will have a good few days work, then some time off at the back end of the week, and then we'll set about the challenge of dealing with Aberdeen. Our away record is good, hopefully we can go up there and try to win again. When you drop points and don't win, then it's important you try to win the next one. Then you feel that you've clawed something back.”