Sturm Graz expect Hearts to use 'less long balls and set-pieces' as Austrians praise Gorgie development

Sturm Graz believe they know what to expect from new-look Hearts in tomorrow’s Champions League qualifying tie in Austria. Head coach Fabio Ingolitsch issued a rallying call ahead of the first leg, admitting Sturm have the best fans in Austria and plan to unsettle their Scottish guests with a high-tempo gameplan.

Ingolitsch and his staff spent time studying footage of Wouter Vrancken’s side after eight new signings. Vrancken only took charge last last month after Derek McInnes departed Tynecastle to join Rangers. The Belgian has quickly implemented his own technical and high-speed approach, which he hopes will pay off in the Liebenauer Stadium.

Sturm finished second in last season’s Austrian Bundesliga and have played group-stage and league-stage European football for the last four years in succession. “We have to be realistic and honest. The Champions League is the biggest stage in European football and we all want to be part of that. It's the biggest dream for everyone to play in this competition,” admitted Ingolitsch.

“There are much bigger clubs in Europe than us but we fought for the last year to be ready for the international stage. We know how important tomorrow is. We don't want to think too much about the Champions League or Europa League. We just focus on the game tomorrow and next week. We want to go through this round and then see what is coming next.”

The 34-year-old watched Hearts come within minutes of beating Celtic to the Scottish league title in May, but expects a very different style of play this term. “Scottish football is famous in Austria, especially for me. I really like the British style of football and I am very used to it. I recognise the development of this club,” he added.

“It was a little bit surprising for the whole of Europe that they were in front of Rangers and nearly beating Celtic. We have the biggest respect for this team and we know about their strengths but we also know about our strengths. That's why we think we can compete tomorrow. We are looking forward to a fantastic game.

“The hardest part was to get information and video material to analyse the new [Hearts] manager's style of play and get a picture of the new players. We have an overview of how the new coach would like to play. I think they are now going to more positional play and they are more focused on these kind of things. It's less long balls and set-pieces than last year. It's more strategic and controlled. We think we know what they will do.

“It's going to be tough for us to have good pressing against this style of play. But it's a good chance for us, especially at home, to win many balls and go for counter-attacks. Hearts are technically very strong. They have some individualists, especially on the offence with guys who scored a lot of points last year. We know about them and we want to keep them away from our goal. We want to be very active, press them high, and hopefully get them stressed so that they make mistakes.

“We expect a great atmosphere. We are really happy with our fans. We have the best fans in Austria and we all know the importance of this game. Our supporters know it and we will get a big support like we received last year. We are all looking forward to being back at home. The whole city is behind us and we want to give the supporters something back. Our aim was to go internationally with this club because they deserve it.”

Ingolitsch stressed the first leg is not a must-win encounter for Sturm. “We don't need to win but we want to. That's our biggest goal for tomorrow. We want to play at home with a good performance and we want to win,” he added.

Captain Jon Gorenc Stankovic recalled last season’s games as Sturm faced both Celtic and Rangers in the Europa League. They lost 2-1 at Celtic Park after beating Rangers by the same scoreline. Stankovic feels those matches will be good preparation for facing Hearts.

“We played two Scottish teams last year and it was quite similar performances both times,” he said. “One time we went home as winners, one time as losers. Both times it was 50-50 games and we expect the same thing tomorrow. I think we are ready for the game and we are ready for the opponent that is coming.

“We analysed them a bit and there are a few new names, a new coach and there is possibilities that they change a little bit but nonetheless I think they are a good team and we have to be ready for that. Our focus is mainly on us, what we can do and how we can cause them trouble. At the end, what matters is us.

“We played the last four years in the group phases of Champions League and the Europa League and this is big for this club. It's coming really fast with the first qualification game and we had a lot of pre-season games to get ready for this game.”