Hearts winger Rogers Mato believes last season’s title challenge proved the club can compete with Scotland’s traditional powers and says the squad is determined to go one step further this season.
The Jambos came within touching distance of ending their long wait for a league title before narrowly missing out on the final day of the campaign. While the disappointment still lingers, Mato says the experience has only strengthened the belief within the dressing room.
“We can do it,” the Uganda international said during Hearts’ pre-season training camp in Spain.
“The fans gave us hope and now we have to give that hope back. We have to keep pushing ourselves because last season is over. Now we have to focus on the future.”
Hearts begin the new campaign under head coach Wouter Vrancken following a summer of significant change at Tynecastle. The departures of several key figures have been balanced by new arrivals, with Mato confident the squad can build on last season’s success.
“The manager is happy, the players are happy and everyone is working hard,” he said.
“There are new players and everyone wants to impress. We have to work hard every day because places in the team have to be earned.”
Mato admitted missing out on the Premiership title was painful for both players and supporters, but insists the experience should serve as motivation rather than a setback.
“We gave the fans hope, so we can’t let them down,” he said.
“Last season they gave us everything. This season we have to give even more. Football moves quickly. You can be disappointed, but you have to recover because another challenge is always coming.”
The 22-year-old also reflected on a frustrating first six months following his move to Hearts. Opportunities were limited under the previous management team, but he says he understood the reasons behind the decisions.
“The manager explained why I wasn’t playing and I respected that,” Mato said.
“I always trained as hard as I could. It was a different style of football and I needed time to adapt.
“The team was doing well, so although I wanted to play more, I was happy to see the club competing at the top.”
Attention now turns to European football, with Hearts preparing to face Austrian side Sturm Graz in the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round.
Mato, who impressed in European competition before moving to Scotland, says the opportunity to play in the Champions League is one he has dreamed about throughout his career.
“It would be incredible to reach the group stage with Hearts,” he said.
“We don’t have much time to prepare, but everyone is working hard. The manager and his staff are doing everything they can to get us ready.
“I feel refreshed going into this season. It’s a fresh start with new energy, a new manager and new coaching staff. I can’t wait for the new campaign to begin.”
After proving they could challenge for honours last season, Hearts now believe their title bid was no one-off, with Mato insisting the club has both the ambition and belief to compete again at the top of Scottish football.