SALZBURG, AUSTRIA - APRIL 4: Patson Daka of Salzburg during the tipico Bundesliga match between FC Red Bull Salzburg and SK Puntigamer Sturm Graz at Red Bull Arena on April 4, 2021 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Chris Bauer/SEPA.Media /Getty Images)
Sturm Graz captain Jon Stankovic has placed Hearts firmly in the same bracket as Celtic and Rangers ahead of their Champions League qualifier in Austria.
The 30-year-old Slovenia international faced both Old Firm clubs during last season’s Europa League campaign at the Merkur Arena.
Graz defeated Russell Martin’s Rangers side 2-1 at the Merkur Arena, the same ground where Hearts will take to the pitch tomorrow night.
They then suffered a 2-1 loss away to Celtic in Glasgow before eventually dropping out of the league phase of the competition.
Stankovic acknowledged that analysing Hearts has been difficult given the managerial change and significant squad turnover at Tynecastle since May.
The skipper said: “Of course, we played two Scottish teams last year and it was quite similar performances both times.”
He added: “One time we went home as winners, one time as losers and both of the times it was 50-50 games and we expect the same thing against Hearts.”
Stankovic was clear that Graz are preparing carefully, saying: “We analysed Hearts a bit and there are a few new names, new coach and there is possibilities that they change a little bit but nonetheless I think they are a good team.”
The Austrian club’s boss Fabio Ingolitsch has spoken openly about his respect for Hearts following their remarkable title challenge under Derek McInnes last season.
The 34-year-old head coach, who only took charge in January, is facing his first experience of Champions League qualifying football this week.
Ingolitsch said: “I recognised the development of this club. It was a little bit surprising for the whole of Europe that they were in front of Rangers and nearly beating Celtic.”
He was candid about the tactical adjustments Hearts have made under new manager Wouter Vrancken, suggesting their style has shifted considerably from previous seasons.
Ingolitsch explained: “I think they are now going to more positional play and they are more focused on these kind of things.”
He continued: “It’s less long balls and set-pieces than last year. It’s more strategic and controlled.”
The Graz manager identified pressing as both a key challenge and a potential opportunity when his side face the Edinburgh club at home.
He said: “We think we know what they will do. It’s going to be tough for us to have good pressing against this style of play. But it’s a good chance for us, especially at home, to win many balls and go for counter-attacks.”
Ingolitsch was full of praise for Hearts’ attacking players, noting their individual quality could cause serious problems for his defence.
“They are technically very strong. They have some individualists, especially on the offence with guys who scored a lot of points last year,” he said.
The Austrian coach made his intentions for the match clear, finishing with a simple statement of ambition for the first leg.
He said: “We don’t need to win but we want to. That’s our biggest goal for tomorrow. We want to play at home with a good performance and we want to win.”
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