Austrian in Scotland
© Imago
Austrian players already have a tradition at the Scottish first division club Heart of Midlothian: five actors from the Alpine region have already been running for the club from Edinburgh in the past. And recently there is another name on this list, because Michael Steinwender also wants to leave his stamp at the Hearts – and spoke in an interview with the transfer market.
When Steinwender started to header against the Glasgow Rangers in the game against the Glasgow Rangers and then fidgeted the leather in the goal, he exploded with joy. Seconds later, thousands of Hearts fans chanted his name in Tynecastle Park at home. “Of course that was a great feeling when you meet the Rangers and then feel how the whole stadium freaked out and freaked out. For me it was also special for me because my parents and my in -laws were in the stadium and my father also had a birthday the day before, ”says the Austrian, who was doing a sporting development last year, which among other things is clearly increased market value reflected.
The reasons for his leap in performance can be found in Steinwender’s past: after he was already fought for a regular place at the then Austrian Bundesliga club SKN St. Pölten and was considered a great talent of defense, he continued to go to TSV Hartberg after relegation in 2021. But after two successful years with a lot of playing time, the professional stagnated in his development. He consequently forced a change of wallpaper:
“I was allowed to learn a lot in Hartberg. After two good years I had to take a seat on the bench for the first time. Of course that was an extremely unusual situation. In the beginning, of course, you blame the others and cannot understand why you don’t play. Quite quickly, however, I understood that it only harms my own career when I go into training with a negative attitude and do not train with full focus. Accordingly, I only concentrated on myself and worked in such a way that I am there immediately in a possible change and do not need a lot of familiarization time. ”
Last summer there was a step into the Swedish Allsvenskan to IFK Värnamo. A path that only a few Austrians hit in the past decades. “Sure, I was often asked why I was not moving to Germany or Switzerland. The honest answer: I didn’t want to wait that long and play. There were loose inquiries from the countries, but the most specific offer came from Sweden. In retrospect, I found out that the club was interested in me in the past, but could not pay a transfer. As a player, you want appreciation and a kind of feel -good atmosphere, I felt both from the first phone call. Accordingly, my decision was determined pretty quickly. And honestly: living in Sweden is also a very nice life experience, ”the professional in the TM conversation smiles.
While his club was going to remain the league for the entire season, Steinwender was able to stage himself with strong performances in Sweden. “I was lucky if you can speak of luck that I have already participated in some relegation fights in the past and were able to pass on my experiences. I would not go that far and say that the relegation battle ‘football work’ instead of ‘playing football’ is, but of course the struggle in the relegation battle is very dominant, ”said the 24-year-old.
According to Steinwender, the Swedish Allsvenskan is characterized by a high number of technical players. “It is not for nothing that the Allsvenskan is one of the most scouted leagues in Europe. The Swedish top clubs could easily play in the Austrian Bundesliga. When you see that Elfsborg defeated AS Rome in the Europa League, this shows the potential that many players have, ”says Steinwender, who was able to reach a market value of over one million euros for the first time during his career. “I have grown with my job. I notice that I think much less about my actions within the game and rather trust my skills. Accordingly, I became much calmer and more confident on the ball, I almost got into a flow. Of course, every player looks at their market value and it is also a nice appreciation when you see that the path you have taken is the right one. Although I have not yet understood how the market values come about, ”says Steinwender with a laugh.
Steinwender in Edinburgh: Is recognized and addressed in the city
At the club from the small town of Värnamo, he developed into one of the most sought -after central defenders in the league and could have stayed with one of the top clubs in Sweden. But Steinwender decided to move to the Heart of Midlothian Scottish Association. According to his own statement, the step to the eight-time Scottish cup winner was easy for him because, among other things, he exchange ideas with the former Hearts players Donis Avdijaj and Peter Haring before moving. “The hearts have an extremely high level of awareness in Scottish space and Donis and Peter have also illustrated this popularity in the conversations. I have actually received many jersey requests from friends and acquaintances who were enthusiastic about moving to Scotland. The conversations and, above all, the clear plan, what the association is up to and what role I should play, of course convinced me the most, ”said the central defender.
In Edinburgh, football is lived and loved with every fiber. The duel between Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian Edinburgh is one of the oldest football derbies worldwide. The deep -rooted football enthusiasm has already found Steinwender on site. “I have not yet been told that I shouldn’t go to the or the district, but of course this is present. The huge Hearts fan base is undisputed. If you go through the city, you will be recognized and addressed immediately. If you go for a walk during the week, you only see a few flags. However, when the matchday is due, most houses are decorated and flags hang everywhere, ”says the professional and adds with a smile:“ Since I don’t have a car at the moment, I always go home on foot. After our game against the Rangers, I felt that I was being followed on the way home. Suddenly I found that it was a Hearts fan behind me. I immediately asked him why he followed me almost two kilometers. He then said that he didn’t dare to speak to me and waited for the right moment. “
In Scotland, he would like to further improve the variability and flexibility that stone turners are characterized. “In general, I have the claim to myself, as a leading player, to coach my teammates on the pitch and push them to better performance. Due to my previous experiences in the different leagues, my style of play has changed. It should also be the goal of constantly changing in order to be more uncomfortable for the respective strikers at the end, ”says the 24-year-old.
Speaking of strikers: The Austrian defender has slowly adapted to the very physically shaped football: “The impression that I have won so far is that the smaller teams with long balls and a tall, beefy striker. However, I do not have the feeling that it clumsy more often or that I wear more blue spots of it than before. But I think that is also because I fill out my role as a defender with great passion and get used to hard duels. ” For the coming weeks, the Austrian has ambitious goals for himself and his team. “As a athlete, of course, you try to strive for the highest. As long as it is possible to move to the master group, we want to maintain this opportunity. I also know that a few years ago, the hearts made it to the cup final. I would be happy if we could repeat this this year, ”emphasizes Steinwender at the end.
Interview: Henrik Stadderko