Hearts have commenced their Champions League qualifying journey, facing Sturm Graz in their first match. This fixture marks a significant moment for the Edinburgh club, which has undergone considerable changes in recent months.
The team experienced a substantial overhaul following the conclusion of the previous season, which saw them finish as runners-up in the Scottish Premiership. This achievement secured their spot in the Champions League qualifiers for the first time since 2006. However, the period leading up to this European campaign has been dynamic, with key personnel departures and new arrivals.
Squad changes and new leadership
In the two months since the end of the last league campaign, Hearts have seen their head coach, captain, and a prominent player move to Rangers. Derek McInnes, the former manager, departed, as did captain Lawrence Shankland and midfielder Cammy Devlin. Additionally, veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon retired from the club. These changes have led to a new era for the team, with a feeling that the slate has been wiped clean.
Taking the helm as the new head coach is Belgian tactician Wouter Vrancken. This marks Vrancken’s first managerial role outside his home country, though he brings prior European competition experience from his time with Genk. The club has also been active in the transfer market, securing a number of new signings. Among these are goalkeeper Beau Reus and forward Severin Guendouz, both acquired from Belgian clubs Beveren and Beerschot respectively. The team has made eight summer signings, with a ninth, midfielder Laurent Mendy, reportedly on the way.
Despite the significant movement of players and staff, Hearts have largely maintained a settled playing squad. The club’s shareholder, Tony Bloom, has been instrumental in opening doors for the team through his investment and scouting strategies, aiming to ensure that replacements are adequate when players depart.
European aspirations and challenges
The path to the Champions League group stage is a three-step process for Hearts. Should they overcome Sturm Graz, they are set to face either Fenerbahce of Turkey or Polish side Gornik Zabrze in the next round. This journey highlights the club’s ambition to compete at the highest level of European football.
Sturm Graz, their Austrian opponents, competed in the Europa League last season, finishing 26th out of 36 teams. They have recent experience against Scottish clubs, having faced both Rangers and Celtic in their eight European matches last season. Sturm Graz secured a 2-1 home victory against Rangers but suffered a 2-1 defeat when playing Celtic.
The Austrian side’s coach, Fabio Ingolitsch, acknowledged the importance of the match, stating that the team is focused on the immediate game rather than looking too far ahead in the Champions League or Europa League. Sturm Graz has participated in the group phases of either the Champions League or Europa League for the past four years, underscoring their European pedigree.
Match preparation and team outlook
Ahead of the Champions League qualifier, Vrancken’s Hearts team secured a 2-1 victory against Rayo Vallecano in a friendly match at Tynecastle. This performance against last season’s Conference League runners-up was seen as encouraging. French striker Amadou Ba-Sy, one of the new signings from Rouen, scored both goals in that friendly after recovering from an illness. Ba-Sy, an imposing target man, was included in the European squad at the last minute and is expected to help fill the void left by Shankland’s departure.
Vrancken remained cautious about whether Ba-Sy would start the qualifier, noting his impact in the friendly after playing 45 minutes. Other potential starters include Claudio Braga leading the line, despite reports linking him with Lyon. Goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow is also likely to start, even with a reported move to Mainz next month. There could also be debuts for new players such as Malachi Fagan-Walcott at the back, Tom Renaud in midfield, and Sabri Guendouz in attack, adding an element of the unknown to the Hearts squad.
More than 1,300 Hearts fans traveled to Graz to support their team. Harry Milne, one of the vice-captains, led the team on the pitch in the absence of the newly appointed but injured skipper Craig Halkett. Vrancken expressed his appreciation for the fans’ support, noting the synergy created when the team performs well and the supporters rally behind them. He emphasized the need for the team to show their fighting spirit from the first minute.
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Source: bbc.com
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As News-GB's Sports Reporter, Megan Sinclair reports on tennis, cricket and athletics for readers across the country. She built her name interviewing rising British talent. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of Edinburgh and completed an NCTJ diploma. Megan lives in Edinburgh, where she plays club tennis and follows track athletics. “Give the athletes room and the story tells itself.”