Head coach Derek McInnes says while Hearts have longer time to prepare for Sunday’s trip to Tannadice, they still need to turn up and do their job to ensure a positive result.
The Tangerines are in the Austrian capital to take on Rapid Vienna on Thursday evening, before facing the Jambos on Sunday and while McInnes acknowledges it’s an advantage to enjoy longer preparation time, it doesn’t guarantee a positive outcome.
Speaking to the media at the pre-match press conference, McInnes said:
“I always think the team who's had a full week to prepare have got an advantage.
"Our focus from Tuesday morning, was on Dundee United, Jim's [Goodwin] focus, they'll be doing their work on us, and they’ll be ready for us on Sunday, but their focus is still on the European tie tonight.
“I do think that when you've got that longer preparation, that can help. But it doesn't guarantee anything. You've still got to turn up and do your job well. That's the way I've always viewed it.
“Whether we're playing against a team who are on the back of a European game, whether we're playing against a team who are in good form or whether we're playing against a team who are in poor form, I think for us, the message at heart is we've got to take ownership of our own performances.
“We've just got to concentrate on ourselves. We've just got to try and be as good as we can be and not hope that any opponent is not quite at it. Because normally, when you depend on others, you normally end up on the losing side.”
On the injury front, McInnes provided an update on recent absentees, as well as positive movements on the return of Craig Gordon and Jamie McCart.
“Craig Gordon's still got a bit to go, but he's progressing. He's getting slightly more strength in the arm and the shoulder, which has been an issue for him.
“A few weeks ago, he was about 50% power on that side of it, and the deficit now is probably a lot less to his other side. So, he's going the right way, but still a slow burner, to be honest. Jamie McCart is back running, so I think he's probably still another two or three weeks away from full training, but he's going the right way.
“[Beni] Baningime, [Calem] Nieuwenhof and young Finlay Pollock are all at similar stages in terms of their rehab. Calem and Beni have not been ruled out for Sunday, but equally haven’t been ruled in. So, they've got a bit to do.
“Then Kenny Vargas has just got a little hip flexor strain thing that we got scanned, but it's nothing too sinister. It might just take a week or so to settle down.”
Finally, there was some good news for the men in maroon as Pierre Landry Kabore’s announcement was made official. The head coach expressed his sympathy for Kabore’s situation and admits his versatility could be a big asset to the club.
“It was a shame that it took longer than we all anticipated. It can’t be easy that, when you sign and you get all the various excitement of signing for a club like Hearts and you’re itching to get going, but then you're having to kick your heels and wait. So, it was good for him. His first training session proper as a registered Hearts player.
“The fact that he's not been playing over the last month or so. But he's kept himself going, kept himself doing a lot of physical work and now he can enjoy being here.
“I'm delighted that we've managed to get that one over the line now. I think in a 4-3-3, he can play off the right. I think he could do that in a 4-4-2, off the right. Probably more suited to a 4-3-3 off the right. He can play the second striker. Play with a partner, he can play on his own up there.
“So yeah, he’s quite flexible. But he's a lefty, he's six foot two, he moves well, he knows his way to goal, so there’s a wee bit of a variety for us to try and get him into the team. And like everybody else, there'll be opportunities for these boys to try and go and stake a claim.”
You can watch Derek’s press conference in full on Hearts TV.
