Hearts manager Wouter Vrancken has called for more from a certain Hearts star.
The Edinburgh side began their Conference League campaign with a strong display against Danish side FC Nordsjælland. The Jambos took the lead and created several chances to kill the game off, but were ultimately punished for their missed opportunities as the visitors scored a late equaliser.
JJ Williams and Kerjota were introduced towards the end of the game with Hearts still in the lead, but the Jambos struggled to keep possession and eventually conceded.
Vrancken said: “When you do a sub, you expect more energy than there was at that moment, and it wasn’t like that.”
Singling out JJ Williams, he added: “JJ did his thing, he went in duels, but I think we need a bit more.”
The Belgian also praised his other substitutes, saying: “Kingsley done his job, Mato done his job, and Jordi (Altena) in a position he hasn’t played in a long time.”
When asked if he was happy with a point, Vrancken replied: “No, no, for sure disappointment that we didn’t take three points when you see the first 70 minutes, we were really good. So really happy with the performance because these first 70 minutes we were dominant on the ball and also out of the ball.”
He added: “It’s a good learning process for everybody here. That’s what we said already during the week. We fought hard to compete on this stage. Like I said, we want to also show ourselves there and I have to say the team showed themselves today. That’s for sure.”
Hearts travel to Celtic Park on Sunday, with Celtic having lost 4-1 to Benfica in the Europa League last night.
Vrancken played down suggestions that Hearts could have an advantage following Celtic’s defeat in Portugal.
He said: “Yeah, but we were there also. So it’s all different games. It’s a good side, again, all month like this, so we have to be top level every time in energy and quality and what we want to show and see on the pitch. We have to take the confidence of our performance from the first 70 for sure to the game on Sunday.”
The Belgian also stressed the importance of leaving last season behind amid questions about its dramatic finale.
“I’m convinced that the players will have their heads in the game on Sunday and not in the past. You cannot live in the past. This is sports. You have to move forward and you have to look forward and you have to take on the next one. And I am confident that it will be like that.”
Hearts and Celtic will both be looking to return to winning ways when they meet at Celtic Park on Sunday at 3 o’clock.
