The Spanish striker was not included in UEFA’s squad for the Conference League matches.
Since signing a three-year contract with Heart of Midlothian in June, Musa Drammeh’s absence has been noticeable. After leaving Sevilla B for more first-team opportunities in Edinburgh, he has yet to make a competitive appearance, despite scoring two goals in a behind-closed-doors win against St Johnstone last week.
Concerns grew when Drammeh was left out of Hearts’ European squad. Of the 42 players registered for the upcoming Conference League matches between the A list and B list, his name was missing. Midfielder Calem Nieuwenhof was also excluded due to injury, along with third-choice goalkeeper Ryan Fulton.
However, there is no need for alarm regarding Drammeh’s situation. At 22, he still has plenty of time to make an impact. While fans anticipated seeing him in a meaningful game by now, Hearts’ coaching staff believe patience is necessary. So far, Drammeh has found it difficult to secure a regular spot on the substitutes’ bench and is viewed as a ‘project player’ at this stage. With his speed, versatility, and occasional goal-scoring instinct, the coaches at Riccarton feel he needs further development to be fully ready for Scottish football.
The hope is that Drammeh will first become part of the domestic matchday squad before being considered for European fixtures. When asked by the *Edinburgh News* about Drammeh’s absence from the Conference League squad, head coach Steven Naismith explained: “It’s just where he stands in the squad right now. He hasn’t had much first-team football in his career. But with each passing week and month, he’s improving.”
Naismith added, “I’m hopeful we’ll start to see him involved more because he brings something different. It’s about getting consistency from him. With the number of games we have, you’ll probably see him playing more in the league on Sundays.”
Drammeh can play both as a centre-forward and in wide attacking positions. Hearts don’t want to limit him to one role, aiming instead to develop his skills in both. Naismith said, “He’s been through a decent academy, so he understands the wide areas, especially off-the-ball work. He knows when to press and how to block passing lanes or take chances when the ball is on the other side. That’s a strength when he plays out wide. He hasn’t played much as a central striker, but we’ve worked on it in training, and he’s a physical presence. He’s not afraid to use his body and make challenges, which can be effective up front.”
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