Halkett: High-risk strategy will pay off
Stendel-ball is the way forward, insists Hearts defender
CRAIG HALKETT concedes that Hearts’ gung-ho approach to survival is piling the pressure on their back line. However, the defender insists he is gradually adjusting to Daniel Stendel’s philosophy.
Hearts succumbed to a breathless 3-2 defeat against Kilmarnock on Wednesday night, hot on the heels of a similarly frenetic 3-3 draw at St Johnstone last weekend.
The German coach is unapologetically committed to offensive, pressing football with a perilously high line and, as Killie exposed, are dangerously open to counter-attacks.
Halkett accepts it is a risky strategy, and one which is particularly challenging for those left manning the barricades at the back, but is committed to the game-plan.
“It’s a case of risk and reward,” he accepted. “We are going to concede goals with the way we play, but it’s evident that we are creating a lot more chances. If we can just get that first goal in a game it’ll make it a hell of a lot easier for us.
“It’s different from what we played before at Hearts, and anything I have played before in previous years, but we are getting used to it.
“It is harder for defenders and we’ll have more one-on-one situations but, with me and John [Souttar], he is confident that we can go and deal with things. That is a bit of pressure on our shoulders but we are happy to take that on.”
While Halkett still takes pride in keeping things tight at the back, Stendel’s forwardthinking mentality has forced the Scotland hopeful to rethink what represents a successful day at the office.
“It’s nice to keep a clean sheet but if we know we are going to outscore the opposition and get three points, that’s all that matters,” he added.
“As a defender, you will always do your best to keep goals to a minimum but if there are days when you concede two or three goals but can score three or four, so be it.”
Meanwhile, Kilmarnock winger Chris Burke is adamant Laurentiu Branescu will learn from the “moment of madness” which almost cost his side victory against Hearts.
Killie were on easy street at Tynecastle after racing into a 3-0 lead, only for the big Romanian to haul down Conor Washington deep into the second half to concede a clumsy penalty.
He was booked for the offence and Sean Clare reduced the arrears.
Branescu, 25, then petulantly tossed the ball away as Clare attempted to retrieve it from the net, leaving referee David Munro with no choice but to brandish a second yellow card in the space of 60 seconds.
Manager Alex Dyer revealed that Branescu apologised to the entire squad following the fixture – and Burke reckons the error will serve as a steep learning curve for the on-loan Juventus custodian.
“Laurentiu spoke very well and the boys all appreciated that,” said the former Rangers and Scotland winger. “It was a moment of madness and he did say that he hopes to learn from it. I’m sure he will.
“As long as you don’t make the same mistake twice, that’s what matters.
“It’s a massive learning curve for him and he is still progressing in the game – and as a goalkeeper. He knows he was in the wrong.”