It was mission accomplished for Wouter Vrancken. A narrow victory in a friendly against quality European opposition, a competitive game for his squad and minutes in legs ahead of the Champions League qualifier, first-leg, in Austria on Tuesday.
The head coach told the media after the game that it was a good test against Rayo Vallecano, beaten finalists in the Europa Conference League last season, edged 1-0 by Crystal Palace.
He also felt it was a good game as he made his debut at Tynecastle in front of more than 14,000 fans.
The Belgian added: “Everybody got a chance, so mission accomplished and that will give some confidence.”
To the match itself, it was a fabulous summer night for football. The pitch was in pristine condition and the fans were back. Tynecastle on a match night is difficult to beat.
Experienced defender Stephen Kingsley was named as captain in a side which included four new signings and the match celebrated 140 years of Hearts at Tynecastle.
However, it could have been a nightmare start for the home side as Oisin McEntee’s attempted pass back to goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow was intercepted. The German saved from Etienne Eto’O but the rebound fell to the same player who shot wide.
Hearts shrugged that scare off and minutes later Josh McPake and another newcomer, Tom Renaud, liked well on the left, but the Frenchman’s cross was comfortably dealt with.
Hearts were awarded a free kick on the left and Kinsley swung the ball to the back post and McEntee sent the ball over the bar.
The fans were loving it and Sabah Kerjota won Hearts’ first corner. Kinsley came over to take and he found McPake free. The ex-St Johnstone striker came close with his lob attempt across goal.
Hearts continued to push the Spanish side back with attacking and inventive play and bustling Amadou Ba-Sy had a chance as he latched onto a McEntee cross but he sent his shot wide.
They did count soon after. A sweeping move down right from inside their own half saw Kinsley involved, He fed McPake whose whipped cross was met by Ba-Sy who headed home. Time 17 minutes.
The fans were on their feet and Hearts were in control, moving the ball at pace on the lush turf. It was good to watch.
Vrancken paced the touchline in his dugout area, issuing instructions, but his opposite number was even more animated, urging his men to gain a foothold, but it was Hearts who threatened again after a McPake corner, MJ Kamson-Kamara heading onto the bar.
Rayo did enjoy some possession, but we’re kept at distance by tenacious Hearts tackling and sound defensive play and it was not long before goal No 2 arrived.
And it was Ba-Sy again. He made no mistake with his header after Claudio Braga sent Christian Borchgrevink into the box and his cross was powered home. Tie 34 minutes and the fans burst into song.
The Spanish side’s frustration manifested itself in cheap fouls, but Hearts continued their assault and home fans were loving what they were seeing.
However, Vallecano broke and were awarded a free kick 25 yards out. Schwolow showed his quality when he dived to his left to save from Pedro Diaz just before the end of the session.
The fans showed their appreciation of the first half performance as the players left the field and obviously wanted more of the same.
Vrancken wanted as many of his men to gain minutes and he made four changes at the break and Sabri Guendouz, another new recruit, showed his keenness and tenacity, plus some fine touches, when he sent Rogers Mato down the left.
His shot was comfortably gathered by Rayo goalkeeper, Daniel Cardenas.
The Spanish side carried an occasional threat and pressed higher but Hearts broke and Oscar Valentin gifted the ball to Claudio Braga but his shot from the edge of the box flew wide of the right hand upright.
Tomas Magnusson then picked up the ball on the edge of the box and blasted over, a real chance gone.
The visitors, however, pulled one back when Sergio Camello’s deflected shot from the edge of the box beat diving Schwolow.
Hearts rang the changes again and Harry Milne took over as skipper just before ex-Falkirk player, Calvin Miller, slotted at the back post after a flowing move involving Mato and Landry Kabore, but referee Don Robertson ruled it offside. A great move with no reward.
The changes, had however, interrupted the flow of play and the game became scrappy. More changes followed for Hearts as the clock ticked down and fans started to drift away.
Rayo had a real chance after superb control by Jorge de Frutos on the edge of the Hearts’ penalty box, but there no takers for his cross, then Marco Roman had chance but fluffed his lines.
So, Hearts edged this entertaining pre-season challenge 2-1 and now focus hard on Sturm Graz at 19.30 on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League, second qualifying round, leg one of two.
The players have worked hard taking in new ideas and strategy from Vrancken, now all that work and preparation is put to the test and fans will hope that Hearts can gain a decent result in Austria to take back to Tynecastle for the return on Tuesday, July 28 (19.45).
BUSY NIGHT: More than 14,000 fans watched the pre-season challenge. Picture Nigel Duncan
