Zander Clark admits he can't wait to experience the atmosphere of the Edinburgh derby.
The former St Johnstone keeper started his first game in a Hearts shirt at his former club as Robbie Neilson's men came out on top in a five-goal thriller in Perth. The circumstances around his full debut are not great with club captain and No1 Craig Gordon out until the end of the season with a leg break after being stretchered off in the Christmas Eve clash with Dundee United.
That has opened up an opportunity for Clark both at club and international level with Steve Clarke's first choice also set to miss a run of Scotland games early next year. The Jambos stopper knows impressing at club level could see a return to the international fold but his main focus is doing well for the Tynecastle side.
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He knows Hibs will be right up for the derby, as will the Gorgie side as they get set for a New Year clash. He can't wait to sample the experience as he targets another big three points in the race for third spot and another European adventure next term.
He said: “The games come thick and fast at this time of year, more so with the World Cup. It’s just about getting into training, recovering well, eating well and making sure we are ready to go for the derby on Monday. I’ve had some enjoyable times against Hibs in the past. But I'm obviously playing for a different club and it’s a derby this time.
“They’ll be right up for it, we’ll be right up for it at home. We just need to make sure we get back into training, make sure we recover well and make sure we are ready to go. I’m looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere. If you speak to anyone who has played in Scotland they will say their favourite away ground is Tynecastle.
“It’s close, you can hear every shout. When you are there as an opposing player it is intimidating because of that. Now being a Hearts player it is the flip side where they are right behind you. Hopefully they are in full voice, it was great backing from them in Perth, and they can push us on.”
On Scotland, he added: “Obviously it will be in the back of my mind. If I can go in at club level and do the best I can and it opens up that opportunity for me then that’s great. It’s one of those where I am always focused on the next game and making sure I can go in and do well.
“If that is enough to get me back into squads then that’s great for me. It will be at the back of my mind, that incentive. But mainly for me it is going in and making sure I do well for the club.”
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