I can play anywhere – Mato relishes Hearts challenge

Rogers Mato is not bothered about where he plays as long as he can help Heart of Midlothian win games.

The Ugandan winger has found himself playing unfamiliar roles in recent matches, switching from left-back against Trabzonspor in Turkey to right-back in Sunday’s 2-0 Scottish Premiership victory over Motherwell.

With injuries leaving Hearts short of options at the back, head coach Wouter Vrancken has turned to Mato to fill the gaps. The 23-year-old has responded by putting the team’s needs first.

“I don’t have a choice. It’s the manager’s choice. Look at the injuries. We don’t have a choice. I need to be there for the team to help it in any way I can,” Mato said.

“So I just need to go there in any position and give 100 per cent to help my teammates get a win.”

Mato’s latest assignment came at Fir Park, where Hearts had to work hard for three points in difficult conditions caused by Storm Boelo’s blustery winds.

The former winger completed the full 90 minutes at right-back, received a yellow card in the 77th minute and helped Hearts keep a clean sheet as they strengthened their hold on third place.

It was a satisfying result for a side that had little time to recover after Thursday’s European trip to Turkey.

“It’s brilliant when you look at the travel, the wind here, playing away, less time resting. The energy the players have given in is massive, and this is an important three points for us,” Mato said.

Hearts took the lead in the 29th minute when Cláudio Braga flicked a header past the goalkeeper from Sabah Kerjota’s cross.

Motherwell tried to fight their way back into the game, but Calvin Miller ended their hopes of a comeback four minutes from time, drilling a low shot into the bottom corner from distance to seal the victory.

The win was significant for Hearts, marking their first Scottish Premiership away victory outside Edinburgh since January and helping them consolidate third place in the table.

Motherwell, meanwhile, suffered their sixth consecutive league defeat, their worst Premiership losing run since 2003.

Mato’s latest defensive assignment came just days after he faced one of football’s biggest names in Mohamed Salah.

On October 22, the Ugandan was deployed at left-back against Trabzonspor in the UEFA Conference League after Hearts suffered an injury setback that included Harry Milne sustaining a suspected anterior cruciate ligament injury on the eve of the match.

For a player whose natural positions are on either wing or at centre-forward, it was an unexpected responsibility. Yet Mato produced an impressive defensive display against the Egyptian star.

Although Hearts lost 2-0 at Papara Park, Mato recorded a team-high statistical rating of 7.4 and won all six of his tackles.

Salah scored from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute before setting up Franculino Djú for Trabzonspor’s second goal in the 58th minute.

Despite the defeat, the experience was valuable for Mato, who admitted that going up against the Egyptian had tested him as a player.

“Very good one, yeah. I tried him. Although he slipped somewhere somehow, I made an assist and scored a penalty, but it was a great experience for me as a player, and as a team, the whole team,” he said.

When told that doing well against Salah meant he could face anyone, Mato was quick to agree.

“Of course,” he replied.

His performance against Motherwell offered another example of his adaptability. Rated 7/10, he passed the ball out of defence and pushed forward when opportunities arose, although Kanga’s dribbling troubled him slightly towards the end.

From marking Salah in Europe to helping Hearts secure a domestic clean sheet, Mato is showing that he is prepared to take on whatever responsibility comes his way.

There is little time for Hearts to rest, with Rangers next on the fixture list.

The match will reunite the Edinburgh side with former coach Derek McInnes, who left Hearts in June 2026 to take charge of Rangers.

Mato is looking forward to the encounter and is confident Hearts can carry their momentum into another demanding fixture.

“Yeah, playing for my coach, and we’ll be pleased to play him,” he said.

The Ugandan believes the key is to approach every match with the same commitment, regardless of the opponent.

“And let him come knowing that we’re fighting for every game. Every game, we need to give 100 per cent, because that boosts our confidence, and we don’t need to go down. Football is high highs and lows, so we just need to give in.”

For Mato, facing another big opponent is nothing to fear.

“Whoever comes, you know. Like you said, I played against Mo Salah [so, I] can play against everyone, so I don’t mind,” he added.

Mato may not know which position he will occupy when Rangers arrive, but wherever Hearts need him, he is ready to give everything for the team.

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