Exclusive:Yan Dhanda speaks on his Hearts future, mental struggle, lack of game time & why he came off against Hibs
The midfielder spoke exclusively to the Edinburgh News
Yan Dhanda speaks calmly and softly about his current predicament at Hearts. There is no sign of anger. Frustration, yes, but no rage. The midfielder knows he is very much a peripheral figure in the Riccarton first-team squad, underlined by one start and four substitute appearances so far this season. He is short of match practice as a result. Nonetheless, with the club engulfed in a full-blown injury crisis, Dhanda finds himself thrust into action through necessity.
He replaced the concussed Tomas Magnusson as a substitute just 15 minutes into Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup tie against Hibs. The lack of sharpness showed in a frenetic semi-final at Hampden park and he was taken off again near the end with cramp. Dhanda’s Hearts contract expires at the end of the season and he could easily just coast through until next year and pick his next club as a free agent. That isn’t his mindset, though, to his credit.
The 27-year-old spoke exclusively to the Edinburgh News about his resolve to help Hearts whenever called upon by head coach Wouter Vrancken. Mental struggles have never been far away and Dhanda has leaned heavily on family for support in recent months. He wants to play more but is not likely do so when all his team-mates are fit. Ten are sidelined right now, so he is needed to plug some gaping holes in midfield.
“I've just been training hard throughout the whole season. I've been working hard, and you never know when your chance is going to come,” he shrugged. “You just have to make sure you’re ready. I've been working so hard in training so that I'm ready whenever I get an opportunity. On Sunday, it came early. It was a difficult game to come into because everything was so frantic. Like I said, you've just got to give everything whenever you get a chance.
“It's tough in this situation, but I've been training hard as I said. Whenever you get an opportunity, you've got to try to take it. Coming on in any game is difficult, and obviously coming on so early when the game is frantic makes it even tougher, but I just tried to do my best. Whenever you get on the pitch, you've just got to give everything and try to do as well as you can.”
Compounding the frustration is the fact Dhanda was not included in Hearts’ European squad for the UEFA Conference League. So, although he is one of only two experienced and fit midfielders at the club right now, he will not travel to Switzerland for Thursday’s tie against FC Thun. “Every footballer just wants to play football. There's no lying about that. It's been tough mentally,” he said. “I just have to keep my head down and keep working hard. Whenever I get an opportunity, I've got to show what I can do. When you're not in the rhythm of playing games, it's hard. Obviously, everyone just wants to play football matches. I just have to keep my head down and, whenever I get an opportunity, give everything.”
The Englishman said he has not held talks with Vrancken about his situation. “Nothing. I've just kept my head down and worked hard. I've been training as hard as possible and trying to keep my fitness up. Obviously, it was tough towards the end on Sunday. I got a little bit of cramp because I haven't played much. I've just got to keep my head down and keep training as hard as I can.
“I know my qualities, but at the same time, the manager picks the team and I respect whatever decision comes my way. I just have to keep my head down and keep working hard. Like I said, it's been really tough and I've struggled at times, but you've just got to keep going. You've got to stay focused and train as hard as you can because your chance can come at any point and you've got to be ready.
“From day one of pre-season, I've trained hard. I've kept my head down and worked hard. I've never downed tools. I've given everything in training and I get on well with the staff. It's been really good training. Like I said, I'm training so hard to get an opportunity and, whenever it comes, I'll make sure I'm as ready as I can be.
“You just want to show your qualities, have a run of games and get into the rhythm of playing regularly. But, like I said, football isn't always straightforward. I have an amazing family who keep me going. Yes, it's been so tough but, on Sunday, I made sure I prepared as if I was playing because you never know what's going to happen. When I was coming on so early, it helped that I'd prepared well, trained well and knew I'd done all that work. When you're playing for a club this big, you've got to give everything whenever you're on the pitch.”
Away from Tynecastle and Riccarton, Dhanda is not short on distractions to put a smile on his face. “Luckily, I've got an amazing wife and two perfect kids who keep me going,” he said. “Obviously, football is tough, but when you look at the bigger picture, I've got a wife, a good family and two beautiful kids, with another one on the way. When I go home, I'm happy with my kids.”
Dhanda is coy when the subject of a loan move arises. He was farmed out to Dundee last season and a similar move may be an option come the January transfer window. However, his personal life will take priority. “I don't know. Honestly, I just need to take it week-by-week,” he explained. “My wife is due in January with our baby, so obviously you just want your family to be happy and settled. That's the most important thing in football. I just need to see what happens. Whenever I get an opportunity, I'll give everything and try to do my best.”