I watched Hearts suffer Hampden pain: European squad headache spotted as injured team shows Tynecastle reality
Here are some of the talking points to have emerged from Hearts’ defeat to Hibs.
The sour taste of derby defeat is one thing, but Hearts may feel its impacts beyond Sunday, after a punishing afternoon at Hampden.
Hibs downed their Edinburgh rivals at the national stadium for the first time on Premier Sports Cup semi-final duty but issues extend beyond the obvious. Talisman Calvin Miller left the game in crutches and midfielder Tomas Magnusson was at hospital following a head injury sustained during battle.
A relentless run of matches extends one more week prior to November’s international, away to Thun in the Conference League’s league phase, and then at home against Falkirk in the Premiership. I watched the latest Edinburgh derby from the Hampden press box and here are some of the talking points to come out of Hearts’ 2-1 loss.
What went wrong?
Let’s take the performance first. Claudio Braga’s headed opener sparked thoughts that the outcome many had predicted was going to play out - a comfortable Hearts win. Magnusson’s injury soon after though derailed the Jambos and Miller’s exit only compounded matters. It allowed Hibs to take total control of the game, score two goals, and ultimately left a Hearts team already running on fumes with too much to do.
“We have to keep also pushing the guys there,” said head coach Wouter Vrancken. “Because when you come on the pitch, there's no excuses. You have to go and take responsibility, and go for it, and just want to win the game. Like they did in the second half, actually. It's just a pity the last 20 minutes of the first half killed the game."
The injured XI
Now, onto the overarching talking point out of this, the injury situation. This game had the feeling of one concern too many for Hearts to deal with, already juggling several ahead of this encounter. Stuart Findlay returned to the bench to provide another defensive option but Miller and Magnusson going down shows it’s now two steps back.
Just look at the injured team that could be put out, not to mention Kieran Wright was initially recruited as goalkeeper cover due to a previous injury suffered by Zander Clark. A back four of Christian Borchgrevink, Oisin McEntee, Craig Halkett and Harry Milne are all out, the former two longer-term. Magnusson can now join Tom Renaud in a sitting midfield two while Blair Spittal, Ageu and Miller make up a decent advanced three. They sit behind Rogers Mato, the forward who’s been forced to fill in at full-back, who was injured last week against Rangers. Vrancken might not have any of these players against Thun or Falkirk, and the international break can’t come quick enough.
European dilemma
Speaking of Thun away this week, a crucial game in Hearts’ bid to qualify for the Conference League’s knockout round phase, Vrancken does not have issues to seek. Yan Dhanda replaced Magnusson at Hampden but he’s not in the European squad and is therefore unavailable. The same can be said for Aron Benjaminsen, the Faroese teenager who debuted against Hibs. Amadou Ba-Sy and Elton Kabangu are other senior players not in the squad, so are also unavailable. In a worst case scenario, the goalkeeper compliment will be fine unless something happens to Beau Reus, but in defence they are way short.
Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Stephen Kingsley, Jamie McCart and Jordi Altena will all need to go again, having played large chunks in recent matches, but Findlay is back in the fold. Altena may be needed in midfield as Laurent Mendy is the only match-sharp natural option. Finlay Pollock has been out long-term so it’s a lot to ask him to start and Sabri Guendouz is more of an attacking option. Youngsters like Gus Stevenson on the ‘B’ list may be needed while Josh McPake and Braga will need to take increased importance up top with Miller out. Already-knackered stars are having to play and play out of necessity while Vrancken is left to balance a rotation game without many options to do so.