Were signs always there that Vrancken's Hearts would come good?

It may appear hyperbolic to claim that Heart of Midlothian's opening home match against Dundee United, just two games into the league season, was a must-win scenario for new head coach Wouter Vrancken. However, that sentiment was prevalent during the build-up to the match. The team had endured four losses in their previous outings, the most recent being a resounding 6-1 defeat at the hands of Benfica.

The knives were out, with unhappy fans and contrarian pundits eager for an early-season feeding frenzy. Yet, after Sunday's 4-0 victory at Tynecastle, those knives remain firmly in the drawer for now. Was this a surprise? Or has it been a long time coming for Vrancken's men? Hearts indeed scored four past Dundee United for their first win under Vrancken.

Initially, Hearts faced a 4-0 loss to Sturm Graz in Austria, which was labelled a freak result by some. Hearts were trailing by a single goal at halftime before conceding three in nine minutes, effectively ending the tie. They suffered a 2-0 reverse in the second leg before a 2-1 defeat against Aberdeen, where they were leading until the 89th minute.

Following these defeats, pundit Michael Stewart noted that Hearts had been creating chances but failing to score in those first four games. Vrancken's side had been wasteful, yet they had also been creating chances. The difference came against Dundee United, where the decision-making and execution significantly improved. Hearts had been up against formidable opposition like Sturm Graz and Benfica, both far superior to Hearts.

The transition period for Hearts, coupled with a new manager and a newly formed playing style, along with the loss of several key players from last season, made the start difficult. The frustration stemmed from a game at Pittodrie, where Hearts dominated the entire match but still lost the three points. Despite this, the bounce-back against Dundee United was impressive.

Vrancken hinted that winger Alexandros Kyziridis might be moving to Turkey, accepting a bid of £25 million. The club accepted the bid, finding it a good deal for both the club and the player. Hearts had previously signed Kyziridis for free from Slovakia, and he will leave for a reported seven-figure fee. In the league last season, Kyziridis scored four goals and registered seven assists, with only one of those goals and one assist coming after the new year when his form significantly dropped off.

Hearts have signed five replacements for two positions, including Albanian super-sub Sabah Kerjota, who was already on the club's books.