Vrancken on Williams deal, Rapid & Hearts' last chance

Wouter Vrancken has been speaking to the media before Hearts host Rapid Vienna in the Conference League play-off first leg on Thursday. Here are the key points: The Tynecastle boss confirms a move for Rhode Island FC striker JJ Williams is "happening on the background" but Vrancken is keen to focus on the current squad amid a hectic run of games. Harry Milne and Laurent Mendy are doubts but the latter could be fit for next week. On free-scoring Rapid, Vrancken says they are "better on the ball" than fellow Austrians Sturm Graz, who defeated Hearts 6-0 in Champions League qualifying. He adds: "A good team. Like Sturm Graz, they want to also press high. They have a strong pressure style. Rapid has the physicality, but there's also the qualities to play. You see it also in their games, you see also the goals they score." Hearts have to "go all in" on their last chance to secure league-phase football, with Vrancken saying: "It's very important. Everybody wants to play in Europe in those league phases. For the club it's also important. Also financially probably, but this is something for other people. But I think the sporting side of it, every player, every coach wants to play as far as possible in Europe." Vrancken says Hearts - now unbeaten in three games after losing the first four - are improving all the time but will have to be "almost perfect" to get past Rapid. On fellow Belgian Sebastien Pocognoli's appointment as Scotland boss, Vrancken says: "Yes, for sure it was a surprise. Also in Belgium. I know him pretty good because I played with him as a player in Genk. He's a good guy, 100%. He did some really good things with Union [St-Gilloise], let's hope he can show the same things with Scotland. He can call me when he wants. He has my number." [BBC]