Darren Barr keen to prove worth to Hearts

Published on Thursday 29 December 2011 12:01

Hearts defender Darren Barr is determined to prove himself at the club after playing the full 90 minutes of last night's 0-0 draw at Aberdeen.

The ex-Falkirk captain was steady at right-back in place of the injured Jamie Hamill as a much-changed Jambos side – Andy Driver, John Sutton, Rudi Skacel and David Obua were also drafted in – held firm.

The deputy defender, who has just returned after a hernia problem, was pleased with his display in only his first start in the league this season.

"I've been out for a wee bit with my hernia and to come back in so quickly afterwards was a bit sudden, but I'm here to play and that's the main thing," Barr told Hearts TV.

"I feel fine. I had a bit of cramp near the end, but that's about it. I'm just happy to be back and be involved. I just want to go out there and prove myself more than anything."

Last night saw Barr make his third outing under boss Paulo Sergio. Indeed, it was only the 26-year-old's 14th start since joining Hearts in summer 2010.

"It's a good point to take," he said, "especially if you take into account the weather conditions, which were shocking.

"We had to stand up to the high winds and Aberdeen, as they threw everything at us towards the end. Even just trying to control and pass the ball when the weather is like that was horrible, but I thought we coped with it pretty well."

Meanwhile, it remains unclear whether Ian Black, Scott Robinson and Stephen Elliott will be available for Hearts in Monday's derby against Hibs at Easter Road. Elliott, due to be a substitute at Pittodrie, suffered an injury in the warm-up, while Black emerged as a half-time sub but was taken off in the final minute. Robinson missed out entirely.

Taken from the Scotsman