Zander Clark urges Hearts to steer clear of VAR drama in Aberdeen battle and pines for tech's 'full potential'

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