Hearts boss Wouter Vrancken has challenged his depleted squad to rouse themselves for one final effort at Kilmarnock on Saturday before a “very welcome” three-week international break.
The Jambos have been stretched by a string of injuries in key positions – most notably in central midfield and across defence – while battling through a gruelling run of domestic and European fixtures since mid-July.
Despite the challenges they have faced, Hearts put together a nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions to reach the semi-finals of the Premier Sports Cup and the Conference League main phase while climbing to the upper echelons of the William Hill Premiership before losing 2-1 at Falkirk on Tuesday.
Vrancken is eager to see his players reward themselves by ensuring they head into the break in a positive mindset with victory at Rugby Park.
“We want to take three points to have a good position in the league, that’s the main thing,” said the Belgian.
“But of course, in the mind, when you go on such a long break, it’s an extra positive thing in your mind to have it done with a win at the last game. Because you deserve it for the things you did already before, and let’s hope that they can reward themselves.
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“For the players, it is a very welcome break. But we have to push in this game because if you can have a good result now in this game, it gives you a very good mindset to go in the days off and get a few days off.
“But at the same time, it’s also a good moment to work on things.”
As has become the norm over the past year, Hearts have sold out the away end for Saturday evening’s match, with more than 3,000 of their supporters set to make the journey to Killie.
Vrancken, who arrived in June from Belgian club Sint-Truiden, has been impressed by the backing his team has enjoyed in Graz, Lisbon, Vienna and Aberdeen already this term.
“When I think about the fans we had in Sturm Graz and then we are now turning up with three and a half thousand on Saturday in Kilmarnock, I never experienced in my career such a big support,” he said.
“I know how loud they can be so at times in the game it will feel like a home game. That can also give the players extra energy to show the fans that we want to finish this series of games in a good way, with a good performance and a good result, and then everybody deserves a few days off.”
