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Why Oisin McEntee was told to get out of Hearts centre-back role as the Irishman goes from Bescot to Benfica Irishman is still pinching himself as Benfica arrive in Edinburgh From Bescot to Benfica is quite a footballing odyssey. Oisin McEntee has followed that very path in little over 12 months, climbing from England’s League Two with Walsall to the Champions League and Europa League with Hearts. Understandably, he is still pinching himself. There is little time to romanticise, though, as the ruthless Portuguese club arrive in Edinburgh holding a 6-1 advantage from last week’s first leg. Realistically, the Europa League third qualifying round tie is over and Hearts are preparing to drop into the Conference League play-off. McEntee is still determined to enjoy the experience and learn against one of Europe’s most formidable clubs. The midfielder is being used at centre-back to help head coach Wouter Vrancken cope with a defensive injury crisis, and is performing well. Two years ago, he was playing in front of 2,352 people at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium against Exeter City. Last week’s attendance in Lisbon’s Estadio da Luz topped 60,000. The contrast is not lost on the Irishman. “I spoke to people close to me and I just wanted to go out and do well,” said McEntee. “Obviously the result didn't show up, but I just wanted to go out and enjoy it because it's an amazing opportunity playing against these type of players in these stadiums. “I think everyone's football journey is different and it just felt amazing being over there in Portugal playing against some of the best players in the world in a crazy stadium. It is surreal. It's what every kid wants when they start their football journey, but you guys know football as well as I do. It's up and down, up and down, so it's nice to play in these types of games because that's what everyone wants to do.” Despite the heavy defeat in Lisbon, Hearts enjoyed an encouraging period midway through the second half which culminated in midfielder Tom Renaud scoring a well-worked goal. “I think we focus on that a lot because, as I said, when you're doing it against those type of players, you can do it against anyone,” said McEntee. “It's just about making those spells a lot longer in games. When everything clicks with this team, good things do happen. You've seen that at the weekend [Hearts beat Dundee utd 4-0], we had a lot of good patterns of play and things are getting better. I think everyone's getting more used to this style and getting more confidence in each other. It's still so new as a group with new players in, so I think it just takes time.” McEntee finds himself deputising for injured Hearts centre-back Craig Halkett, who is not expected back until early next year after rupturing his Achilles. “I've spoken to him loads,” explained McEntee. “Craig has been amazing with me since I came to the club and he's just been telling me how well I'm doing and just telling me to keep going. Obviously, a lot of people have left the club and there are a lot of people injured, so it's just about being a leader and he kind of gives me little pointers with that.” At the same time, Halkett has not been slow to make McEntee aware that he will be back to retake his position. “Yeah, he said that. He said he's coming back soon, so I need to get out,” laughed McEntee.