Wouter Vrancken stressed that the midweek euphoria at winning in a penalty shootout in Austria could evaporate if his men don’t defeat newly-promoted, St Johnstone, in the William Hill Premiership at Tynecastle on Saturday (kick-off 15.00).
The head coach is still assessing players after the gruelling tie at Rapid Vienna which went into extra time on a heavily-sanded pitch which took its toll on the Jambos, with cramp a real issue.
He’ll know more in the morning after speaking to his medical staff and getting a decent overview of their fatigue and will then make his decision before naming his team.
Of course, Josh McPate, who played in Austria, could play a part, providing he is fit, against his former team, and Jambos fans wait to see if new striker, JJ Williams, will have a part to play having been officially signed in midweek.
The Perth club go into the game on the back of a dramatic 4-3 victory over Kilmarnock on opening day followed by a 1-0 defeat at St Mirren.
Their scheduled match at home to Celtic was postponed to give the Glasgow side time to prepare for Europe and they sit in sixth spot in the 12-strong table.
Hearts are fifth, also with three points, after losing 2-1 at Aberdeen but bouncing back, after being humbled 6-1 at Benfica in the third qualifying round of the Europa League, to thrash Dundee United 4-0 at Tynecastle.
The Tynecastle team drew 1-1 with Portugal-based Benfica before beating Inverness Caley Thistle 6-2 in the second round of the Premier Sports Cup at Tynecastle and then drawing 2-2 with Rapid Vienna at Tynecastle in the first leg of their Conference League play-off before Wednesday’s 2-2 draw in Vienna. Hearts won 4-3 on penalties.
Vrancken said the celebrations were “nice” after the Euro success, but he mentioned to the players that they had to take care of their bodies.
He said: “It is a pity that we play on Saturday. It is scientifically proven that after a game, especially after extra time, that you have three days off with food, rest and taking care of your body, with two days that is not possible.
“It is what it is. We don’t want to complain. We want to go full and show that in every moment.”
It is good, he said, that the match is at Tynecastle as the energy from the crowd can help push his players forward.
New striker JJ Williams could play a part. The 28-year-old from New Mexico was play in a league in North America and he is “physically ready” to play the game. He has to adjust to his teammates, but he is “selectable”.
Every opponent is strong in the league, he said, and added: “We have to be spot on again. It is on us to show again why we got such good results in the last week.”
RIVAL: Simo Valakari, St Johnstone’s boss, in the opposition dugout at Tynecastle.
