UNDER STENDEL WE’RE GOING TO BE THE... ENTERTAINERS
Irving confident Hearts can survive in creative style
CREATIVITY isn’t a gift from the footballing gods. It’s a state of mind. And, for all the talk about teams at the wrong end of the table needing no-nonsense battlers and safety-first scrappers, a spark of genuine invention is likely to make all the difference to those in danger of going under.
So, yes, there’s been plenty of chatter from — and about — new Hearts boss Daniel Stendel when it comes to work rate, aggression and chasing down the opposition in their half of the park.
Listen to one of the teenage talents entrusted with the task of actually doing something positive with the ball, however, and a more subtle picture emerges.
Under the former Barnsley gaffer, it seems, Hearts — with just 18 goals from 21 Scottish Premiership games this season — are going to be all about entertainment.
‘I think so, especially in the final third,’ insisted midfielder Andy Irving, whose recall under Stendel brought an immediate improvement in the final game of 2019.
‘He wants people to take risks. You saw Ryo Meshino’s goal against Aberdeen, which was a great strike from distance. He is practising that all the time.
‘I’m not saying that’s a risk — but maybe Ryo wouldn’t have had the confidence to take that shot previously. In the final third, the gaffer wants us taking risks.
‘If you are one-against-one with an opponent, try something. If there is a killer pass, try it.
‘We will all hopefully be in that area to win the ball back with the high press.
‘So he wants people to get on the ball, pass and try to be creative. We had a meeting before the Aberdeen game and it was about taking risks. I quite like that.’
It’s hardly a surprise that Irving’s eyes lit up when talk turned to taking a punt on the killer through ball or risk-and-reward move.
At the age of 19, with a new contract at Hearts agreed last summer, the midfielder is a player who thrives on that kind of challenge.
He was only pipped to man-of-the-match honours in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Aberdeen, a crucial pick-me-up heading into the winter break, by the more eyecatching performance of goalscorer Meshino.
Handed a start by Stendel in a much-changed team, Irving’s first appearance of any sort since early November provided Hearts fans with genuine optimism. A rarity in itself around Gorgie these past, oh, 18 months or so.
‘Yes, the mood was lifted big time,’ said Irving of the Dons draw. ‘Everybody was happy with the performance. Individually and collectively, it was better.
‘The manager didn’t really explain why I hadn’t played before, although I had spoken to him a few times.
‘I was maybe at a disadvantage because he hadn’t seen me play previously. He had only seen me in training — so maybe it’s my fault. I’ve maybe not done enough in training. I think Sunday has hopefully shown I am capable.’
Stendel undoubtedly used his first five games, four defeats and a draw crammed into just two hectic weeks, to try things out.
Players have been given chances to impress. Many have fallen short and been dropped. Others will know that they’re only holding onto a place because the new gaffer has no one better at hand. For now, anyway.
Irving, who spent the first half of last season on loan at Falkirk, isn’t naïve enough to believe that the starting XI who ended 2019 will remain unchanged for the first game of 2020.
Aware that Stendel is desperate to add quality to the squad, with as many as half a dozen signings in the pipeline should he be able to clear room via departures, Irving said: ‘It’s got to be expected.
‘We haven’t had a great first half of the season. A new manager has come in with his own ideas so we will need to wait and see who comes in.
‘Everybody is playing for their futures, so we will all be working hard.
‘We have two weeks until the Scottish Cup game against Airdrieonians, so I think we will be fully prepared for that.
‘We will be working hard, getting fitter and understanding more of what the new manager wants. Hopefully, it all pays off in the second half of the season.’