Wouter Vrancken facing a Hearts dilemma ahead of the Champions League as he responds to a transfer rumour

Wouter Vrancken admits Hearts players need all the game time they can get to be ready for Sturm Graz in the Champions League qualifying rounds later this month. However, the Belgian is also facing a dilemma of who to play, when to play them, and who should sit out the pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano at Tynecastle Park. That game comes just four days before the first leg against Sturm in Austria and Vrancken is concerned about using too many players who would feature in the European tie. Hearts have upcoming friendlies against Livingston this Friday, 10 July, Arbroath next Tuesday, 14 July, and then Rayo next Friday, 17 July. There is another friendly against Raith Rovers scheduled for Friday, 24 July, at Stark’s Park - right in between the two legs against Sturm. Vrancken knows time is short as he tries to implement his high-tempo and aggressive gameplan at Hearts. “Yeah, we have to see what we can do because I hope that we can fit in a few other ones [friendlies],” he commented. “Because we need the minutes for everybody. But at the same time you have to work to Sturm Graz to find the team that will perform there. “Also, the Rayo Vallecano game, it's the first game at Tynecastle. You want to have everybody show themselves before the fans. But, at the same time, it's not that far away from the first game against Sturm Graz. It's a little bit of managing minutes, but at the same time they have to be ready to go full 90 minutes also on that Tuesday.” Hearts beat St Mirren 3-1 in their first pre-season friendly during last week’s training camp in Spain. Vrancken is assessing players and deciding who should play where. He is already clear in his mind about where some of his squad operate best. “We had to push some guys out of possession,” he admitted. “Also, in the second half, we had three players like Yan [Dhanda], Sander [Kartum] and Josh [McPake] playing a little bit out of their best position. We have to adapt now but I think Oisin [McEntee] is for me a centre-midfielder. Yan is also a centre-midfielder for me.” Vrancken also responded to rumours regarding the Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow. Suggested interest from Germany has hinted at an exit for the 34-year-old this summer. The manager said he had not heard. “No. I didn’t hear the rumour yet. Now I hear it,” he smiled.