Rogers Mato speaks out on his Hearts transfer scandal, title hopes, Champions League and his life in Edinburgh
Uganda winger feels positive at Tynecastle Park
Hearts winger Rogers Mato is determined to make a greater impact in Scotland this season as he adapts to the country’s football and culture. The Ugandan internationalist managed only three appearances in maroon following his controversial move from North Macedonian club FK Vardar in January. He wants to impose himself and help Hearts challenge for the Premiership title again over the next year.
Mato arrived at Tynecastle Park in January on loan from Vardar. He had agreed a pre-contract deal with Hearts officials earlier that month. Vardar then claimed they had accepted a $1m offer from MLS side Sporting Kansas City and intended to sell the player to America. Meanwhile, Mato was back in his native Uganda struggling to communicate because of an internet blackout.
He spoke for the first time about the deal on the Pitchside Podcast. “There was a big scandal in the transfer and people didn’t believe we had an internet switch off,” he said. “I had to book a flight to go to Istanbul to finalise the deal. I went to a team which is like a family. The players, the manager, the technical staff, the administration staff, the way they welcomed me in and helped me to settle in.
“It’s a pleasure signing at a big club in Scotland. It’s one of the biggest clubs I have ever signed for in my career. I’m really grateful for signing with Hearts. It’s a big club with big fans. On social media back home, everybody was happy for me and I appreciate that. I can’t take that for granted. To see people back home supporting you, it really pushes you to not give up.
“If you are far away from home and you make a move like that, then if you see people at home criticise you a bit then it brings you down. When I saw they were applauding me, congratulating me, pushing me - they say, ‘that’s our boy’ - I was really very happy and proud to be Ugandan.”
Mato will play under a new Hearts head coach this season after Wouter Vrancken replaced Derek McInnes. He hopes to impress the Belgian during pre-season and establish a place in the starting line-up for the season ahead. “Not only in football, life is all about patience, and it's my first time in Scotland,” said Mato. I had to adapt to the playing style, to the football culture, to the people. Because even in the first week, I didn't understand what they're saying. You understand my English very well, but the first week you can't understand the 'Scottish English'. It's heavy. You have to first tell someone 'calm it, relax, slowly'.
“I had to be patient because the time I came in it was a crucial time and the scandal for my transfer wasn't a good one. It was like pulling rope. So I think the manager played it very well. He played it very, very professional. As a player, you want to play and I did ask them why I wasn't playing, but they were honest with me. I took it in good faith because it was to help me. The manager was honest with me and he's a good friend of mine.”
Hearts were minutes away from winning the league at Celtic Park back in May before losing two late goals. Mat explained the emotions and stressed his desire to go one better this season. “It was heartbreak,” he recalled of the 3-1 loss to Celtic. “The last eight minutes to be champions, to being legends of Edinburgh, legends of Scotland, legends of Hearts. It was heartbreak for every player, every fan, the administration, the coaching staff. Hearts had a great season, one of the best. We went into games from being 1-0 down to winning 2-1, scoring at the death.
“In football, we have only 24 hours to be down. The next days, you have to lift yourself up because that’s not the end. Next season, is a big season - Champions League football. We gave the fans hope that we can do it, so we can't let them down. We gave the world a different picture so we have to stick to that. I think I need to work on myself to go back there to get the playing time to be in the starting 11. I need to work more on myself and help the team.”
The 22-year-old is adjusting to life in Edinburgh, where the city is about to enter festival season. “I haven’t quite seen the Festival but I think Edinburgh is a good city. It’s one of the most expensive cities in the world,” said Mato. “It’s a good city, the climate is not that bad. There are a lot of Ugandan dishes, African dishes, each and every country has a restaurant. From Edinburgh to Glasgow is one hour and Glasgow has some Ugandans.”