The stands in the Sumgayit City Stadium tomorrow night might be as bare as the win column next to Hearts’ name in the Premiership table.
But – even being 3400 miles from Gorgie – Yan Dhanda knows there’ll be no escaping some home truths if the Jambos’ horror run extends on the opposite side of Europe. Not when his uncle is a season ticket holder and life-long fan – and Tynecastle travel companion. Dhanda’s had some awkward interrogations on the way home from games this season.
And it’s not like he’s in a position to argue when Hearts haven’t tasted victory in the 10 games since he signed from Ross County in the summer. The 25-year-old year old was subjected to more questioning after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with his former side. But Dhanda is certain brighter times are just round the corner.
And not just on the sun-soaked banks of the Caspian Sea either where Hearts arrived last night ahead of the Europa Conference League opener against Dinamo Minsk. No punters will be allowed in the brand new 10,000 capacity ground due to UEFA’s sanctions on Belarusian clubs for their country’s involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
But don’t suggest to Dhanda that that might help take the pressure off Hearts. He said: “You’re playing for Hearts and you’re expected to win games, so the pressure’s just natural. I don’t mind playing under pressure because that’s what it should be when you play for Hearts. I get it from my family anyway! I’m used to it.
“My family are Hearts fans. They’re always asking questions. Obviously they want to see a good performance too. I think we can take positives from the Ross County game.
“My uncle came home with me in the car on Saturday and he always lets me know what he thinks. He’s obviously disappointed when we don’t win games. It ruins his weekend when we don’t win games.
“That’s just how the fans are. He’ll let me know. I’m just excited for Thursday. I think the Ross County game was a positive step compared to the past few weeks.”
Dhanda was a late sub in the Europa League play-off defeat to Viktoria Plzen at Tynecastle as the Czechs bounced Hearts out and into the Conference League. But he’s yet to experience Euro football on the continent for real having been an unused sub in the first leg.
The Brummie’s only previous taste came in a Romanian youth tournament with West Brom over a decade ago where he came up against Rangers winger Ianis Hagi. Dhanda admits watching the Ibrox side and Celtic get off to fliers in their respective campaigns has whetted the appetite for a taste of his own.
He said: “Definitely. I think they’ve done so well in Europe and consistently. We have to take positives from that and go over there knowing we can get a result and we can win. We just have to play good football.
“We have to keep working hard because we’ve seen the past few months that no game is going to be easy. Everyone wants to beat Hearts because we’re a big club.
“We have to be focused. We have to keep learning from the staff, no matter who it is. We have a good group in there and everyone sticks together. It’s a really good group of lads who support each other.
“They’ve made it easy for me and the new signings coming in. Hopefully, I can play in Europe and show what I’m about.
“It was a big part of me coming here. I think everyone in football wants to play in European competition. I’ve been to Romania when I was younger. That was just a pre-season tour when I was at West Brom.
“I was young, probably 11 years old and it was one of the first times I went away from my mum and dad. I actually can’t remember too much. But I do remember Ianis Hagi was playing – and that we didn’t win it!
“Everyone was saying ‘that’s Hagi’s son’. He was good way back then too. You remember those things. So I’m sure in years to come, I’ll remember going to Azerbaijan and playing in the Europa League.
“That’s what everyone wants to do, is play in the biggest competitions. No one can take it away from you. I’m really excited for Thursday, I can’t wait.”
Liam Fox will take charge of his second game as caretaker as Hearts continue the hunt for Steven Naismith’s successor in the hot seat. It was Naismith who signed the former Swansea ace just a few months ago. And Dhanda said: “Obviously it’s difficult when a management team leaves but Foxy’s come in and has been really good, gave us clear messages and there’s a freedom to go and play and get on the ball. Everyone knows their role in the team.
“The energy has been high and the lads have been keen to impress Foxy. And I think Saturday we showed how good we can be when we keep the ball and move it side to side. But we’ve got to start winning games now. We’ll build on it.”