JUST IN: Zander Clark elaborates on why he assumed the captain’s armband for Hearts and discusses the team’s performance in the match against Rangers.

The goalkeeper expresses disappointment following the events at Ibrox.

Hearts face the challenge of proving that the defeat at Ibrox was merely a setback in their journey. Their impressive 12-game unbeaten run came to an abrupt end with a resounding 5-0 loss against Rangers, showcasing the latter’s credentials for the Premiership title.

Despite making several commendable saves throughout the match, goalkeeper Zander Clark couldn’t prevent conceding five goals. With upcoming fixtures against Hibs and Celtic, there’s no time for dwelling on the disappointment.

“The saves are inconsequential. I’d rather have made a few good saves and gained something from the game, so I’m not concerned about that,” remarked Clark. “The frustration lies in the manner in which we conceded the goals as a collective.”

Hearts struggled to maintain possession in crucial areas and couldn’t withstand Rangers’ relentless attacks after conceding an early goal to Mohamed Diomande. The subsequent goals from Oscar Cortes, Cyriel Dessers, and substitute Fabio Silva further compounded their woes.

“We were aware the crowd would be fully behind them, especially after going top of the league last week,” explained Clark. “Conceding early gave them an extra boost, making it challenging for us to gain a foothold in the game.”

Despite the disappointment, Clark emphasized the need to bounce back swiftly. “Saturday was a setback, but we need to ensure we pick ourselves up and return to our previous form,” he stated.

Clark also found himself wearing the captain’s armband after Lawrence Shankland’s substitution, a moment that wasn’t pre-planned. “It’s not up to me whether I wear it or not; it’s just what happens when I’m on the pitch and Shanks goes off,” he clarified.