FREE WHELAN
Glenn set for the axe as boss Stendel insists he’s no leader
DANIEL STENDEL boldly insists Glenn Whelan does not have the leadership qualities for Hearts.
The 35-year-old midfielder was left out of the squad for the Boxing Day Edinburgh derby defeat to Hibs, with his Tynecastle future in doubt.
The Republic of Ireland international was signed on a free transfer in the summer after leaving Aston Villa, with the aim of playing regularly to ensure he was in contention should his country qualify for next summer’s Euros.
Despite a good start Whelan’s displays have nosedived in line with the rest of the Hearts squad since then.
They find themselves three points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership table ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Aberdeen.
Having made 17 appearances in maroon, the former Stoke man has featured in three of Stendel’s four matches in charge, playing 90 minutes against St Johnstone and Hamilton either side of 45 minutes against Celtic.
And while Stendel admits Whelan was willing to try to take on responsibility, he hasn’t seen evidence of him being able to exert his influence in Hearts’ engine room.
The manager has already admitted the veteran will not be part of his side to face the Dons – and has been bullish about the chances of Whelan being involved after the winter break. It’s the first big swing of the German’s axe in what could be a window of upheaval down Gorgie.
Stendel said: “I can say he is a good type. He wants to take the responsibility but I have seen only three games. Do you have the feeling he is a leader in this group?
“It’s not Glenn’s fault – but a real leader in the centre of the pitch? Sorry.
“Maybe I missed it, maybe Michael Smith tries to take responsibility on the pitch. We can bring one in but can also improve another player to take more responsibility.
“Before I came here they signed some players who have experience and are the right age to take the responsibility.
“Maybe they’re not fit at the moment or they can’t handle the situation at the moment. This is a big point for us.”
The January transfer window will be vital for Hearts as they desperately seek to get themselves out of trouble.
Stendel has already admitted he needs new players to make it work but confirmed he will be looking for players he knows and can rely on.
A reported move for Stoke defender Liam Lindsay, who worked with Stendel at Barnsley before heading to the Potteries last summer, would fit the German’s criteria.
Austin MacPhee will assist with the recruitment process next month and was spotted at Stoke’s recent game against Middlesbrough.
Rather than specific names, Stendel is clear about the type of player he needs to turn things round at Tynecastle, and that includes those who are fit enough to play regularly.
He said: “At the moment I can’t say we will bring in this player or that player.
“What I can say is I would prefer I know the players a bit more than just that ‘they are a good player’ because every good player is not the best player for us.
“We need the right mentality and the right attitude – we also need them not to be injured every two weeks. We can have the best player but if he can only play five games…
“This is the reason I would prefer if we bring in players that I know can help us right away and not in six weeks.”
Stendel’s seen improvement in some of his current charges that he reckons gives him something to work with.
He said: “One example is Sean Clare. When I came the supporters were cheering when he came off but in the last games he has shown that he can help us, that he wants to improve.
“This for me is a good sign but I’m waiting on a reaction from the other players. I wait for more.”
Youngster Aaron Hickey continues to impress his new manager as well, with the 17-year-old becoming a key man in the Jambos line-up despite his tender age.
Stendel already believes the defender has all qualities needed to become a top-class operator, especially with his manager’s guidance and help from those around him.
And while he’s cautious of burnout for a player who has featured more for the club this season than reasonably expected, he admits he has to put the team’s needs first.
He added: “It’s unbelievable that Aaron is on the pitch. I didn’t expect this from him but every week he surprises me.
“Before I came here I saw he played more games than anyone expected, so maybe he needs a rest. But we can’t give him a rest because he has been our best player in the last four games.
“He is our youngest player and we need to decide the best for the team and the best for him also.
“When I work with him and he gets some players next to him who can help him, he can improve so much more.
“At the moment he’s good but he can be really good. I want to bring him there but at the moment I can’t tell him it’s better for him to rest because it’s not the time.
“It’s bad but I like these decisions more than thinking that Player A or Player B or Player C doesn’t matter.”
Stendel hopes any new recruits he is able to add in January can inspire those already there to raise their game.
He added: “When you have the quality you can say, ‘This is the game. I know that my confidence isn’t what it would be if we had won four or five games in a row but I have quality and I can start my performance. We have to change this’.
“I hope some injured players can help us and also we need some players that we can change. Not too much.
“Some players only need one player they can look towards in games and think, ‘Yeah, he’s great, he wants to go this way’ and he can help some of the other players out. We need some leaders.”