Zander Clark is determined to pip Aberdeen to the European check-in desk and give Hearts fans more trips to remember.
The Jambos keeper knows his side are in decent shape to qualify for continental competition regardless of what happens against the Dons today. But if the Gorgie men can reel in Barry Robson’s side and clinch third spot it will set up guaranteed jaunts all the way to Christmas in the Europa or Conference Leagues. Hearts have a five point deficit to claw back in the remaining three games – and beating Aberdeen is a must in the race to be best of the rest.
Clark got a taste of Europe last season in the Conference group stages and he’d love to set up Jambos for a few more stamps on the passport. The Scotland squad man said: “When I joined the club I think one of the first games was a European trip and it was great. I experienced it at St Johnstone as well and these games and competitions are the ones you want to be involved in as players. It is great for the club and the players and their families, and the supporters as well.
“You can only judge by what you see when you are on the pitch and they are in the stands but it looks like a good away day! It is definitely something we want more of and it is down to us to try to bring that back to Tynecastle.”
Clark knows there’s no margin of error in today’s third force showdown. He said: “It’s a big game in terms of what we want to achieve as a club. Every game is a massive game when you’re at Hearts.
“There are demands from within and outwith. In terms of where we want to be come the end of the season, it’s a big game and one where we need to be right at it.
“We go into every game with the aim of winning it so there is no different approach. We are at home and we need to make sure we use that to our advantage, keep the ground entertained and as loud as we can to push us over the line.
“We just need to focus on ourselves. We know what we need to do to get to where we want to be. Saturday is down to us. We have trained well this week and we have a plan for how we want to go about the game. When the referee blows the whistle, it’s up to the XI on the park to put into play what we practiced through the week.
“Football is a funny old game and things can change quickly. It’s down to us to make sure we are right at it to give ourselves the best chance to have that glimmer of hope that things can change. We need to make sure we are right up for it come kick-off.”
Clark is hoping VAR remains in the background at Tynecastle today after a couple of recent calls that have Jambos up in arms. Alex Cochrane was sent off after the video ref stepped in against Celtic but it stayed out of the red card for Peter Haring at St Mirren last week.
Clark said: “Obviously at the time you get frustrated but it is football and these things happen. Last week was frustrating because we had got a foothold in the game and we were on the up.
“The sending off kills us in terms of momentum but the character and spirit that the boys showed to keep pushing and take it all the way to the final whistle and Lawrence is probably the guy you would want to step up and take the penalty in that situation, and he managed to win us the point, which at this stage of the season could be a vital point for us.
“It is frustrating at the time but once it is done, as players, we just try to regroup and get back to doing what you know you can. If you’ve had them go against you then you might start thinking you are due one but you just want the right outcome regardless who it’s against.
"As players you want the right decisions to be made. Before VAR was introduced, you had to accept that everyone is human and mistakes were made but VAR is there for the purpose of rectifying things if a mistake is made. If it is used to its full potential then it could be a very good addition to the game.”
