Hearts’ makeshift defender Rogers Mato earns Walter Francken’s praise after Mohamed Salah test

Walter Francken praised Rogers Mato after the Ugandan winger made an impressive switch to left-back to help Hearts avoid a heavier defeat against Mohamed Salah and Trabzonspor in the Conference League.

Hearts lost 2-0 in Turkey, with the visitors already facing a depleted squad after several first-team midfielders and defenders were ruled out. The situation followed a 7-1 defeat by Celtic on Sunday, while another setback came before kick-off when left-back Harry Milne suffered a suspected anterior cruciate ligament injury in training at Papara Park the previous evening.

Francken responded by selecting Mato, a winger by trade, in the unfamiliar defensive role. The decision surprised many, but Mato produced a display which helped Hearts remain competitive despite their concerns before the match.

Salah put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute. The former Liverpool player then created Trabzonspor’s second goal, setting up Frankolino in the 58th minute.

Explaining his decision, Francken told BBC Scotland: “Yes, I spoke to him today, after Harry had to withdraw from the game yesterday.”

He added: “I spoke to Rogers today and he was very clear in our conversation. He said, ‘No problem.’ I gave him some details about the position and also about the task of marking Salah.”

Francken said Mato’s pace and strength in one-on-one situations made him a suitable option, despite his usual attacking role.

“I knew he could cope with the speed in that position,” he said. “I also know that when Rogers is fully focused, he is very strong in individual battles, especially because he is an attacking player by nature.”

The Hearts manager acknowledged that his tactical choice would have been heavily criticised had Salah scored several goals.

“That is why I am pleased it worked out this way, because if Salah had scored two or three goals, everyone would have said the decision was wrong and unsuccessful,” Francken said. “But you have to trust some players.”

He also highlighted the wider response from his squad, with players being asked to operate outside their usual positions because of the injury list.

“When you see some players perform in positions other than their natural ones because of necessity, that is a positive,” he said. “We only had one player available in midfield, with six players injured.”

Francken also singled out Jordi Altina, who played in midfield despite it not being his normal position.

“He also put in a great performance in midfield, even though it is not his natural position,” said Francken. “I am happy to see these things happening and that we were able to move on from last week’s result and produce a good collective performance.”