Stand-in skipper Craig Gordon is targeting playing at the World Cup in 2022 with Scotland - in a boost to Hearts that he could stick around beyond the end of his current deal.
The goalkeeper signed a two-year deal last summer which will take him up to the summer of 2022, and with the World Cup six months later, he is suggesting he is aiming to play for Scotland in Qatar if they qualify.
And the former Celtic star admits he is delighted with how things have gone since returning to Tynecastle with the club top of the Championship and Gordon getting the armband on occasion.
With Steven Naismith and Christophe Berra spending time injured, Gordon has had the armband a number of times this season.
And while he admits it's disappointing they've not been able to do it in front of fans like he has in the past, he is still loving the opportunity.
He told the Edinburgh Evening News: “That’s everything I set out to do coming back here. I’ve managed to get the captain’s armband a few times as well.
“I did it on Saturday and it would have been great to hear the noise coming out with Tynecastle full of fans and the music playing – like days gone by when I did it.
“Everything I aimed for at the start of the season is going well, but I’m not the type of person to be satisfied with that. I want to keep pushing and be ready for the Scotland games coming up this month. I want to be in that squad and perform well.
“You just never know the injury situation or who is going to be available come the summer. I want to give myself the best possible chance to be involved.”
“It’s not that far away for the World Cup after the Euros. I want to continue playing and hopefully still be involved at international level for a few years. I’m well aware that’s going to take an awful lot of work on my part to keep in shape and producing performances here at Hearts.”
