COUNTDOWN TO THE CUP
CONTENDERS READY FOR KICK-OFF
TORRENTIAL rain saw Daniel Stendel take to the sky for a family reunion – now he feels it can helps Hearts’ season take off against Rangers.
A trip to St Mirren being called off last Friday did not help the Jambos’ relegation worries with the club two points adrift at the bottom and six from safety.
Stendel has faced an intense introduction to Scottish football since his arrival in December, a 2-1 result against the Light Blues the only league victory to call on.
But the German believes an idle week could be beneficial – even if it did initially feel like a blow.
“We used it and it was helpful for the players and staff. We 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 we have a little bit more time to train and bring some players back from injury or illness. “The feeling in training is good. The players trained hard and we need to bring it to the
BY ROSS PILCHER matchday. It was the first time in eight weeks I could see my family, I went back to Germany.
“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.”
A result when Rangers return to Gorgie tomorrow will not ease the Jambos’ league woes.
But the belief instilled by last month’s triumph could help propel Hearts to Hampden for the fourth time in less than a year.
Stendel said: “We know we can beat Rangers at Tynecastle and they know it as well.
“We’re focused 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 we fight for everything, for positive results and to stay up.”
St Mirren’s come-from-behind win at Motherwell on Tuesday did not help their cause.
But seeing a six-point gap to 10th in black and white hammered home the need for points.
Of his reaction to Saints’ victory, Stendel said: “At first you think, ‘Aw, why?’. But you cannot hope every time that other teams play for you. You need to play for yourself.
“Hamilton drawing was also a point more last weekend but we have no time to look at other teams.
“It doesn’t matter what has happened. We 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.”