Wouter Vrancken is fully focused on earning three points at Falkirk on Tuesday night, and is not distracted by the Premier Sports Cup semi-final clash with arch rivals, Hibernian FC at Hampden in late October.
Victory in Central Scotland could take the Jambos into second spot in the William Hill Premiership table, above Rangers, and keep them within three points of pace-setting Falkirk.
William Hill rate Hearts to win at 19/20 and by 2-0 at 9/1, but The Bairns proved troublesome opponents last season.
Vrancken’s men had an intensive training session on Sunday and he has the same squad available for selection.
Belief grows among the Jambos squad with every result and the players, he revealed, “try to win” in every session on the training pitch, underlining the competitiveness, a situation that does not surprise Vrancken.
Hearts, he said, go full-on again at Falkirk and he said: “If you don’t show energy in the week you don’t show energy in the games, and I am happy to see they can do it.”
He was asked about the reception ex-Bairns player, Calvin Miller, may receive from the fans who last season idolised him, but Vrancken said: “He gave a lot to that club but when he steps on the pitch there is only one thing that counts. He is a player with Hearts.”
Falkirk want to have high pressure on the ball and Vrancken (pictured at the media briefing) warned: “They are stronger than the points they have got.”
The numbers indicate that Hearts have 12 points from their five games and are third in the 12-strong table, and Falkirk are second bottom with two points from their five outings.
The Jambos have won their last four while Falkirk have drawn two and lost two, scoring only three goals and conceding seven. The Men in Maroon have scored 12 goals and shipped five.
The head coach said: “We have to look at ourselves and put the energy in, and to make sure the quality is there to find those spaces, especially when you play against at team that is good in pressure, to get the result.”
On an international note, the first Scotland squad under the new manager, Belgian-born, Sebastien Pocognoli, is announced on Tuesday and Vrancken fully expects some Hearts players to be named in it.
Falkirk footnote, Jambos fans heading for Falkirk are reminded that kick-off is at 19.45pm and turnstiles will be open from 18.30. The match is sold out and no tickets will be on sale at the stadium.
Hearts will be situated in the East Side of the North Stand and entry is by turnstiles 11 and 12. Kiosks at the stadium accept cash and card.
Finally, former Jambos defender Lee Wallace has joined the Scotland set-up as an assistant coach to the under-19 side. He won ten Scotland caps and will assist Tam Courts who is the head coach. Wallace will continued to work at The Oriam, helping develop the club’s young players.
