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Calvin Miller needed Hearts jolt before Benfica rematch as he applies reverse psychology The wide man was deployed as an emergency left back by Wouter Vrancken against Dundee Utd and netted first goal from the spot Calvin Miller knows Hearts have taken a real shot in the arm by getting that first win and will be looking to build on that against Benfica. Their Europa League third round qualifying tie tie is all but over after they crashed 6-1 at Estadio da Luz last Thursday. It is now about trying to salvage some pride in the return leg at Tynecastle. Wouter Vrancken ’s men go in on a high after they beat Dundee United 4-0. Miller said: “We really needed that on Sunday. It is tough going from European ties and back into the Premiership. If you aren’t getting the result midweek then you really want to be winning your games at the weekend. “It will give us confidence. There were a lot of positives and we are trying to make it as hard as possible on Thursday.” Miller is well aware that in front of a packed Tynecastle, Hearts can be a different proposition against the Portuguese giants. He admitted: “Hopefully, when you have that crowd backing you then Tynecastle can be a tough place to come. “The pitch isn’t as big as Benfica’s, so it will be a lot tighter for them to try and play as well. We will be making it as hard as possible.” The summer signing from Falkirk accepted it was important to finally get a win. Vrancken had been given a baptism of fire with two Champions League qualifiers v Sturm Graz and away games at Aberdeen and Benfica. Miller insisted: “It was a difficult start in terms of the ties we have been drawn in. We are still learning. Learning his style and how he wants to play. “You could see on Sunday the moments we had and the variety of goals we scored. “They were all different types of goals and that was pleasing that it all came together. “We really needed that and I was just buzzing to get off the mark. It is a big club and that was huge.” Tom Renaud scored a screamer and Claudio Braga got amongst the goals against United, while Josh McPake and Miller opened their accounts. “It was good and we got a good result,” he added. “We did it with a bit of style: four goals and a clean sheet. I am buzzing with that and my first goal for the club. It means a lot. “I would back myself. I was on penalties for Falkirk last season. It was decided before the game. I have been on them for the last two games. “We have a list. I put myself forward and back myself. It was good to see that one going in. I always practise the day before a game. “I said it previously last year, when I was on the other side of it. I hadn’t got a win or scored a goal. “To come here score and to win it was a class atmosphere. It is a moment I will remember.” There were plenty of goals at the top end and a clean sheet at the other. That was even more pleasing for Vrancken as the majority of his defenders were missing. He also didn’t have a fit left-back and so Miller was forced to roll back the years. He confirmed: “I found out on Saturday that I was playing left-back. The gaffer pulled me in that morning. He said six out of nine of the defenders are injured and he asked me if I could do a job? “I am not going to say no, am I? I am always going to do what I can for the team. I am just thankful I have come out and put on a good performance. “There was a spell last season in a game for Falkirk last season where I did a job for 15 minutes. Prior to that it would have been eight or nine years ago. I was just trying to be aggressive in my defending, being touch-tight and doing what I don’t like as a winger, when I come up against full-backs. “I don’t enjoy defending. No winger enjoys defending. I was just trying to be enthusiastic, energetic and aggressive. It kind of all clicked when I was doing it. I was happy with that.” “I don’t want to say I enjoy clean sheets because that is what defenders say.” Miller joked that if he is asked to play left-back against Benfica he will be dragging Harry Milne off the treatment table. He insisted: “I am going to speak to Harry Milne and tell him to get himself in the group. I will do the job for the team at any point, but I want to be in my ideal position because that is how I got to Hearts, playing on the wing.”