Inside Hearts dressing room as Celtic and Rangers title fight that has ‘never been experienced’ sparks one thing

The new recruit has been thrown in at the deep end – but reckons the crowd demands are bringing out the best in the squad

Jordi Altena admits his bold career gamble has paid off after going from the Dutch amateur ranks to the Scottish Premiership summit within a year.

The right-back impressed on his Hearts debut in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Livingston as the Jambos moved six points clear at the top. Altena was thrown straight into action just days after sealing a switch from Waalwijk in a deal in excess of £500,000.

The 22-year-old only spent six months with the second-tier outfit after joining from non-league side De Treffers. And Altena insists going to the bottom of the ladder has been the perfect springboard after leaving Vitesse Arnhem in summer 2024.

Altena said: “It’s a crazy journey! It was a disappointment because I had to leave my old club Vitesse. But the training of the team I went to, De Treffers, just gave me such confidence to get back to where I belong.

“After one year that happened – and then I came right back and now I’m here. So it can go really fast in football.

“At De Treffers we played in front of about 500 fans but that level was really good. I think with that combination I experienced a lot and now I am who I am. So it’s a lovely story.

“If you see the other side, you get humbled. I know young players who play their whole life in a professional team and they think, ‘I’m the guy’. But if you get humbled like that, then that’s a good thing. I think that I’m very humble. I’m not like, ‘Oh, I went to an amateur club and now I’m not that guy anymore’.

“It’s a journey over many years and is not just about this season. Being humble — that’s the most important thing I think.”

Altena could easily have remained in the Dutch top-flight in the academy system but admits that he wanted to get his hands dirty playing mens’ football. He said: “At a young age you have to play many games as high as possible.

“My opinion was when I went back to the amateur club, I could play in the first team and get physically better than play in the under-21s or under-23s.

“I could have gone to some clubs and played under-21s or under-23s but I wanted first-team football.

“That’s the most important thing — to play at the highest level possible. I know I can play football, so that’s not what I have to work on but my improvement point was physically.

“I know what I can do with the ball and how I can play. I’m really confident about that and that doesn’t surprise me.”

Altena provided the cross that saw Craig Halkett head home a stunning goal in the 18th minute in what turned out to be the difference between the sides.

But after passing up good chances to double their advantage, Hearts fans had to endure a nervy second period as Derek McInnes’ side saw out the victory.

Despite the tension inside Tynecastle after the break, Altena loved every second of his derby. And he said: “It was amazing.

“Three points is the most important thing and the atmosphere was amazing – I’m not used to that so it’s a great feeling.

“The game is different than in Holland so I have to get used to it but to get the three points and the assist was great.

Heart of Midlothian’s Craig Halkett (centre) is mobbed by his team mates after scoring his side’s winner

“It was a good header, a hard header because he was so far out.

“The players just told me to cross the ball, it does matter if it’s the first post, second post, penalty spot, we’ll just be there because we play with two strikers.

“So for me that’s a good feeling because I like to cross. I’ve settled in – the boys are just so nice and they made me feel at home since the first day so that’s something I really like.

“And the fans — it’s not that if I walk on the pitch and there are so many fans that I would get scared.

“I just got a boost from it and I think that combination just worked.

“The manager just told me, ‘be yourself, we got you here because you played like you played at your old club, so just be yourself, don’t be scared’.

“He gave me great confidence, it’s beautiful.”

It turned out to be a big day in the title race after Celtic lost to Rangers in the lunch-time kick-off and Hearts took advantage to move six points clear.

A trip to Dundee is next up and Altena is relishing playing his part for the table-toppers.

He added: “It’s a feeling I’ve never experienced so I think that’s also good for my improvement. But it feels amazing.

“You feel the atmosphere in the team and in the stadium also. They expect much from us.

“Maybe today wasn’t as good as it has been all season.

“But I think if you win these games then you can really do something.”