Hearts ‘have to be above emotions’, says Wouter Vrancken before Stenhousemuir cup tie

Stenhousemuir boss Marvin Bartley is yet to taste defeat over 90 or 120 minutes after 10 games in charge.

And the former Livingston manager talked of his players being on the “same wavelength” before Hearts’ visit.

“We have clarity of everything we do, whether it be on the ball, whether it be off the ball, whether it be set-plays, whatever else it might be,” he explained.

“We try and take the guessing out of it. A lot of people look at attacking and they think it has to have some sort of structure to it and when it comes to defending, it’s kind of off the cuff. We’re the opposite with that.

“We need to know when the ball’s in certain situations, in certain areas of the pitch, how we’re going to defend it.”

Midfielder Lewis O’Donnell says the Warriors are benefiting from the freedom offered by Bartley.

“He tells us all when we get in that attacking area just to be creative, make things happen,” the 21-year-old said.

“Don’t be like a robot. Go and express yourself. I feel like all the boys have done that so far.”