Wouter Vrancken and JJ Williams have met the media ahead of Saturday’s William Hill Premiership match with St Johnstone.
Fresh off the back of Wednesday’s heroics in Europe, where the Jambos beat SK Rapid on penalties to qualify for the league phase of the UEFA Conference League, the head coach has spoken of his delight at being back to Tynecastle and the boost his players will get from a home capacity crowd.
Meanwhile, new arrival JJ, who takes on the no.9 jersey, told the press that he watched the Vienna triumph in his hotel room and its left him eager to be part of the team and do his bit in maroon.
Wouter said; “I think now you have to put all in there against St. Johnstone, and that's why I'm glad it's in Tynecastle, so the fans will push you for the extra bits of energy.
“Because otherwise the focus vibe goes off of what you did on Wednesday, and you have to prolong this good vibe, and that's only one way to do it, and that's playing a good game and taking the result against St. Johnstone.
“It's just about putting energy in it, especially because it's Tynecastle. I think it's good that it's Tynecastle in this moment because players get the energy from this crowd there and they can push them forward. So, it's maybe a good thing that we play at Tynecastle.”
JJ said; “I watched it (SK Rapid v Hearts) in my hotel room. And you talk about I felt like a kid again because I was jumping on the bed.
“You know, the saves that Beau made at the end, but the performance and the absolute shift that the guys put in. I mean, Calvin was cramping everywhere possible. And look at, you know, he was still running at 120 and then steps up and smashes a pen in the back of the net.
“Like you talk about a performance to watch for the first game, seeing it as a signed player, was I was ready to run through a wall for those guys, you know, so it was good.
“It is a very exciting thing to come to the club because after last season, there was lots of highs, but ultimately real disappointment. But it seems that the momentum is turning Hearts’ way again.”
Wouter and JJ’s press conferences are available to watch in full on Hearts TV by clicking here.
