Daniel Stendel reveals trip home as he plots Hearts revival

Tynecastle head coach spent rare time with family as he gears up for Rangers-Hibs double-header

Hearts manager Daniel Stendel takes training yesterday after enjoying a rare chance to visit his family in Germany. Picture: SNS.

Cursing the call-off at the time, Hearts manager Daniel Stendel now believes that last weekend’s weather-enforced postponement of their relegation tussle with St Mirren could actually work in their favour as they try to piece together an extended Scottish Cup run and secure their Premiership survival.

Faced with a testing run of matches, in the league and on Scottish Cup duty, the hope is that the free weekend allowed both coaches and players to switch off and relieve some of the pressure that has been building before returning to work with a heightened energy and determination.

“On [last] Friday morning I would say no, [I didn’t want a break] but, when the game was off we had to take a break,” he said. “We used it and I think it was helpful for the players and staff who all had two days with no football, especially after the last few exhausting weeks with a lot of games and not so positive results.

“It was a good chance to use that on Monday when we started training. It is also good that we have a little bit more time to train and bring some players back from injuries or illness. The feeling in training is good. The players trained hard and we need to bring it to the matchday.”

With no competitive action, the players were given the weekend off, and Stendel took the opportunity to return home and clear his mind, arriving back in Edinburgh reinvigorated and ready for the challenge that lies ahead.

“It was the first time in eight weeks that I could see my family so I went back to Germany,” he added. “When you work as a manager, you don’t really have one minute off. It is good being away from all that you see every day. It was good and we started with new energy on Monday so we work for 
Saturday.”

The lay-off has helped striker Liam Boyce, the Northern Irishman recovered from last week’s illness and sore back and back in training. Toby Sibbick is not available, the after-effects of his illness still hanging over the midfielder, but Aidy White should be available for selection when Rangers turn up at Tynecastle for their cup quarter-final showdown tomorrow evening.

With only three wins since the turn of the year, two have come in the Scottish Cup, the other against Steven Gerrad’s Rangers. Which could all be viewed as a good omen as they prepare to meet the Ibrox side in that tournament.

“We know we can beat Rangers at Tynecastle and they know it as well,” said Stendel, who wants to take positives from that encounter without resting on laurels. “We’re focused for Saturday and we know it’s a chance for us. We need a positive result and have the chance to win but everyone can see in the stadium that we fight for everything, for positive results and to stay up. This isn’t a league game but it is still a good game to show that we know we don’t have more time. Especially after Tuesday night, it’s clear. The time is over.”

On Tuesday, St Mirren scored victory over Motherwell to move six points clear of the Gorgie side at the foot of the Premiership table.

“At first you think ‘aw, why?!’ But you cannot, every time, hope that other teams play for you,” admitted Stendel. “You need to play for yourself. Hamilton drawing was also a point more for them last weekend. We have no time to look at other teams. It doesn’t matter what has happened, we still have two games against St Mirren, we have a game against Hamilton again so we have chances. But it won’t change if we don’t win points. The gap is big but two points to get to Hamilton is the first goal for us. The next team is six points with a better goal difference, but maybe it’s helpful when you can see this is the reality. We need three points, every time. We have the chance in our hands but we need to start winning games.”

The Hearts boss hopes that reminding themselves of that winning feeling against Rangers might prove the late catalyst for a bright end to 
the season.

“We want to use the memories from the last game but the game starts anew. We cannot really take things from the last game but memories are good. Positive thoughts are good, but we need to invest so much energy against a team with this quality. Still, everytime we believe we can win, this is important to have in our heads.”