Hearts centre-back Jamie McCart insists he is comfortable deputising at left-back for the Scottish Premiership leaders.

The 28-year-old made his first start of the season in Sunday’s 1-0 win at Dundee and is expected to keep his place for Wednesday’s visit of St Mirren due to injuries to Harry Milne and Stephen Kingsley.

“I’m delighted to get playing because it’s been a long time, a frustrating time,” he said.

“I played left-back quite a few times for Inverness quite a few years ago. It was tough on Sunday but I enjoyed it.

“It is a bit of a change because you’re wider so you can go higher and deeper. Sometimes you’ll play against wingers who go one-v-one and then others who will go away from you.

“It’s something I’ve done before so I felt pretty comfortable with it.

“At St Johnstone we played a back three and the way we did it meant you had to get out to defend in those wide areas. That stood me in good stead.”

McCart, who moved to Tynecastle from Rotherham, is under contract until the summer of 2029 and has no thoughts of moving on despite his recent lack of action.

“I signed at Hearts for a reason,” he said. “I want to be here and I want to play, so every day I train and try to prepare like I want to play.

“I know the standards I set, so I knew if I got the opportunity I could come in anywhere.

“You just have to be patient and when you do get in, give the gaffer something to think about.”