'We will not back down' - Vrancken defiant ahead of League Cup clash

Manager Wouter Vrancken insists Hearts "will not back down" after picking up their first win of the season last weekend. The new boss had a tricky start to life at Tynecastle after losing his first three competitive matches in charge. After a humbling 6-1 defeat in the first leg of their Europa League qualifier against Benfica, Hearts defeated Dundee United 4-0 in the Scottish Premiership before earning a creditable draw in the return leg of their European tie. And on Sunday they host Championship side Inverness in the League Cup last 16 - the same stage they went out of the competition this time last season. When asked if he's going to make significant changes to the side that starts on Sunday, Vrancken said: "First of all, you have to deserve an opportunity to play. "That's an important point. You have to always show it in every minute you play, but also in the sessions. "But again, we have to see with the little injuries [to players like Laurent Mendy and Harry Milne]. Can they come back? Who can play? "But we will not back down. We have to push forward and we have to keep pushing. And it doesn't matter who is the side against you. Thursday, Benfica and Sunday, we have to show the same effort and try to do the same things with the same mentality and the same team spirit. This is for me the most important."