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Blair Spittal's Hearts transformation and Wouter Vrancken's role Midfielder is enjoying a new lease of life under the Belgian Perhaps the biggest transformation at Hearts in recent months does not involve nine new signings, the new management team or the possession-based attacking play. Blair Spittal’s rise from squad player to captain is quite something. The 30-year-old has seized his opportunity since Wouter Vrancken replaced Derek McInnes as head coach, revelling in the responsibility and leadership. Spittal is used to playing further forward but Vrancken clearly sees him as an orthodox central midfielder in his 4-2-3-1 system. The former Motherwell player has adapted and is currently one of the first names on the Belgian’s teamsheet having started every competitive match so far this season. With Craig Halkett, Stephen Kingsley and Harry Milne injured, he also donned the captain’s armband against Dundee United and Benfica. Half of Spittal’s 28 appearances last season were as a substitute, so he is enjoying the promotion. Trust from the manager means a lot. “Yeah, it does,” he said. “In terms of being one of the ones that's been here the last couple of years, and then obviously it helps. With Kingsley and Harry being out injured, it's up to the ones that have been here to step up. When called upon, I'll do my job. If I wasn't given the armband, I'd still try my hardest to play a part in the team, in terms of giving the messages across to the boys and encouraging at all times. Hopefully that will continue, if I manage to stay in the team. I'm feeling good and I'm feeling fit.” He isn’t overly fazed by the slightly deeper midfield role. “It's been good. Obviously, we've got a lot of experienced players out at the minute so, when I'm asked to do a job, I'll try my best to do that. It's a lot different than last year in terms of the role that I've been asked to play, but I'm enjoying learning it. I think, as the performances have gone on, I feel as though I'm starting to get better in that role. Throughout my career, I've been known for being able to play a lot of different positions, but I've probably not stuck to one in my whole career. I'd like to think that it's another string that I can add to my bow and I'm enjoying learning from the new manager.” Vrancken is content to let Spittal influence the team as he sees fit. “He hasn’t really sat me down personally. Just in terms of the team, it's just important that we take the messages on,” explained the player. “I’m one of the older guys. I think I'm probably the oldest outfield player that's fit at the minute in terms of being one of the players who take his messages on to the pitch and try and help. “It’s a lot of new players that we're bringing in and we're taking time to gel. It's important for us experienced ones and boys that have been here to try and pass the messages on to the new boys. I think it's starting to happen. The last two performances in particular have been very good, so we've got a lot to build on now.” After beating Dundee United 4-0 and earning a creditable 1-1 draw with Benfica, Hearts switch to Premier Sports Cup duty this weekend against Inverness Caledonian Thistle. “A club the size of Hearts should be looking to go as far as we can in the cup competitions. Sunday is the first opportunity for us to do that,” acknowledged Spittal. “Obviously, it's good that we've got a home tie, so we just need to make sure that we recover. I think we did that well last weekend. “After the Thursday game away at Benfica, we managed to get a good training session over there on Friday, come back and recover well. With the facilities that we've got, there's no excuse for us to make sure we're fresh going into Sunday and make sure we have a fast start.” Hearts’ lack of progress in both the Premier Sports Cup and Scottish Cup last season still rankles. “It was the one thing,” admitted Spittal. “It depends on the narrative you want to play on. We managed to just focus on the league, if you like, but we want to make sure that we're competitive on all fronts. Like I say, Sunday is the first opportunity for us to go and stake our claim for what will be, hopefully, a successful season for us.”