Yan Dhanda reveals Hearts gut feeling that proved correct as dream Euro moment brought career first
The Jambos defeated Duinamo Minsk by coming from behind, and Dhanda sealed the victory to give them their first victory of the year.
Yan Dhanda had a gut instinct that told him he would score his fantasy first goal for Hearts against Dinamo Minsk. However, even he could never have predicted that the thrilling Euro winner would have appeared off his NUT in the 94th minute.
Before smashing the net in Azerbaijan to snap the Jambos’ 10-game losing streak, the summer addition had 17 goals in his career but had never scored with his napper. They won 2-1 and got off to a great start to their Conference League season thanks to his deft finish of Lawrence Shankland’s header back across goal.
The 25-year-old now believes it’s the beginning of a winning streak for the managerless Tynecastle team, whose next game is a trip to high-flying Aberdeen on Sunday. “I felt like I was going to score,” he remarked. I told Stephen Kingsley, who was warming up, that I thought I would score and didn’t really care how it turned out.
This is my first-ever header goal! It’s wonderful to have scored both my first header and my first goal in Europe at the same time. I just wanted to make an impression, as I always do, and I knew I was going to be in the proper spot in the box.
“Considering how difficult the ball was to handle, I was a little shocked when Shanks got his head on it. However, he put his head on it, causing it to fall to me, and I somehow understood where I was in the box. I reasoned that if I flicked it, it might go in, and it did. I’m excited about it, so yeah.
“Although I’ve wanted to score more goals, nobody really expects me to score a header. All I want is to continue playing a part, helping others, and scoring goals. I’m confident in my ability to accomplish that on the field.
“A victory was necessary. We drew with Ross County on Saturday after playing well, and as I mentioned earlier, I think we’ll keep going. We now have a huge game on Sunday, so it’s a positive step back. All we have to do is keep creating and embracing the good.
Dhanda’s heroics in the past have solidified his cult status in Gorgie, and he already has a Tynecastle terracing song in his honour. The Englishman disclosed last week how his uncle Stuart—a lifelong Jambo season ticket holder—was going through the worst start to a season the team has ever had, much like the rest of the Gorgie supporters.
If he wasn’t allowed to see it in the midfielder’s home in Edinburgh, his sadness will have at least slightly subsided after witnessing his nephew put an end to the horrific winless streak. Dhanda stated: “I just want to take the positives and keep building. It would have been nice to have our fans there celebrating when I scored, but at the same time I’ve scored my first goal in Europe.”
“My uncle will be content. No way. He will now be buzzing. I think he was watching it at home because he’s not permitted around here because he might wake up my child by yelling at the TV!
“My dad obviously texted me while everyone was at their house.” In Birmingham, he would be watching it.
I was ecstatic to score Hearts’ first goal. Over the weekend, I also received my first assist. Thus, I think that things are starting to get better.
“I’m a person who enjoys playing. I will not conceal that. The season hasn’t started well for Hearts because they’re not used to winning games. But I have no doubt that the ability we have in that changing room will make a difference.
