New Hearts winger a risk but Levein admires his tenacity
Hearts manager Craig Levein says there is a lot to like about new signing Danny Amankwaa but his competitiveness, character and searing pace top the list.
That is why, despite the fact the Danish winger has spent around 18 months on the sidelines since the middle of the 2014-15 season as injuries served up one setback after another, he has handed the 23-year-old a contract until the end of next season.
“We were looking for a winger and there were hundreds of them. The reason Danny is the one I really wanted is because his career was heading up the way really rapidly. Then he had loads of problems. Injuries hampered his development. But I think there is untapped potential.
“I like the way he plays. He is quick but he is also competitive. When he gets involved in tussles, he always wants to come out on top. In terms of a wrestling match with a full-back, he is tough. In this country, wingers have got to be tough.”
A player who can play on either flank or in the more central No 10 role, the Danish under-21 international who once had a trial with Chelsea and has experience of Champions League and Europa League football with FC Copenhagen, says he is in need of a new challenge.
“This is a fresh start for me as I needed to show myself in another country and show how good I am,” Amankwaa said. “It has been tough mentally as I had three injuries and was out for six months at a time. I did my Achilles and the meniscus on my knee and my cartilage but the manager believed in me and I want to repay his faith.
“I am so happy that the manager has seen my qualities and I want to show him and the Hearts fans that I am worth it.
“I know I am a very good player. I have had some setbacks but I am more clever since I came back. I am much smarter now, especially in duels. I am up to the challenge and can cope with the physical demands of Scottish football.”
Levein believes that too but accepts that Amankwaa’s medical history does render him a gamble.
“Whenever you make a signing, there’s always an element of risk. The risk here is bigger because he’s had injury problems. We gave him an 18-month contract and we’ve got another year’s option on it just to see how it goes. It’s a safety net, just in case. I’m expecting him to be a success “He is quick but he is also competitive. In this country, wingers have got to be tough”
and the Danish climate isn’t that much different, he speaks very good English, so a lot of the other things you would worry about are not an issue. But I’m taking him on knowing thereisaninjurybackground.”
It is the nature of those injuries that encouraged Levein to throw the dice.
“If he’d torn his thigh muscles three times, I’d be wary. But he snapped his Achilles once, which John Souttar did and came back stronger. He’s had two knee problems but it’s just cartilage. Callum Paterson had that, Jamie Walker had it and Rory Currie has one just now. These things are not muscular. It’s not like he’s broken down in any way.”
The newcomer will be thrown straight into the squad for today’s match against Motherwell, claiming he is “hungry to make up for lost time”. And with the team piecing together eight successive clean sheets, Amankwaa wants to bolster the bid for a consistent return at the other end.
Six points ahead of the Fir Park side, who have a game in hand, Hearts aim is to extend their 11-game unbeaten run and keep their guests at arm’s length. Kyle Lafferty is still suspended but Levein addressed rumours that the forward is the subject of interest from English Championship side Sunderland, saying that no bid had been received.
The side will also be without both Esma Goncalves and Cole Stockton, after the latter left the club by mutual consent. The former remains in Uzbekistan trying to finalise a deal that will see him sign for Pakhtakor Tashkent for around £300,000.
Defender Krystian Nowak has also been told he can leave if he finds another club as Levein looks to finance another one or two arrivals before the transfer window shuts on Wednesday, with another striker the main priority.