Wouter Vrancken knows Hearts Champions League stakes are high but boss warns Sturm Graz 'we're ready'

Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken has insisted his squad are ready for the challenge of Sturm Graz in their Champions League qualifying tie, with the Scottish club embarking on their first campaign in the competition for 20 years.

The Belgian takes charge of his first competitive match in the second qualifying round on Tuesday evening, following a season in which Hearts came within minutes of securing their first top-flight title in over six decades. "We're as ready as possible," Vrancken said. "Everybody has worked hard to come here and to be here. I know we'll give our best tomorrow."

Vrancken has overseen a significant squad overhaul since replacing Derek McInnes, with nine new players brought in during the summer transfer window. He confirmed that Harry Milne will captain the side in place of injured Craig Halkett.

The 47-year-old former St-Truiden and Genk boss emphasised the importance of focus and intensity. "It's very important that we show guts from the start and don't think about other qualifiers or the next round," he stated. "Just stay in the moment, go full out and give everything on the pitch. Because when you start thinking too much about the next round you lose your focus a little bit. I think it's most important to give it everything on the pitch now and give our best. Then we'll see what we get. I'm convinced that when we give it everything we have a good chance."

Vrancken could hand a competitive debut to summer signing Amadou Ba-Sy, who impressed with a double in Friday's 2-1 friendly win over Rayo Vallecano. Ba-Sy was initially omitted from Hearts' UEFA squad list but was reinstated at the expense of Rogers Mato.

Victory would set up a third qualifying round tie against either Fenerbahce or Gornik Zabrze, with a Europa League spot guaranteed as a fallback. Sturm Graz beat Rangers at home last season before losing to Celtic.