Darren Barr made his first league start of the season for Hearts in a goalless draw with Aberdeen on Wednesday and is eager to reignite his Tynecastle career.
The defender joined the Edinburgh club from Falkirk 18 months ago but had been a peripheral presence before injury to Jamie Hamill offered a chance in the first team.
Barr – who has also endured a second hernia operation in just 12 months – replaced Hamill in the win over Motherwell on Christmas Eve and retained his place for the trip to Pittodrie. It was just his third appearance under Paulo Sergio, the Hearts manager.
However, the one-time Scotland internationalist is fully focused on taking his opportunity. "I just want to go out there and prove myself more than anything," said Barr.
"I've been out for a wee bit with my hernia and to come back in so quick afterwards was a bit sudden but I'm here to play, that's the main thing. I had a wee bit of cramp near the end, but that's about it."
However, another Hearts full-back is facing a far less certain future. Jason Thomson's loan deal with Dunfermline Athletic has come to an end and he has returned to Tynecastle, where he has already been told he does not have a future.
The 24-year-old joined Dunfermline in the summer and was a consistent presence for the Fife club but Jim McIntyre, the East End Park manager, has opted not to extend the deal. He was denied a final outing against Motherwell after strong winds caused the match to be postponed.
"I really do think they've got to bring in some speed limit for wind, if that's possible, because wind is one of the biggest factors in spoiling a game of football," said McIntyre. "But we're not too disappointed the game was off, because of the injury situation and the horrendous weather, because I think it makes it a lottery when the wind's like that."
Not even some inclement weather will be enough to dampen the fervour around Edinburgh this weekend, though, with Hibernian facing Hearts at Easter Road on Monday. The visitors have already bought out their entire allocation for the match, despite suggestions fans were considering boycotting the match.
Hearts supporters were angered that they would have to pay an additional £6 on top of the £28 to gain entry to the match after Hibs decided to sell the tickets to them directly rather than to the Tynecastle club. However, Hearts will be backed a 3500-strong travelling support.
