Hearts stopper Alexander Schwolow relishing goalkeeping competition at Tynecastle

Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow says he is relishing the competition for places at Tynecastle.

Veteran stopper Craig Gordon has returned to full training and has been included in the Scotland squad for games against Greece and Belarus.

The 42-year-old is now ready to compete for the gloves at club and international level after recovering from injury.

Derek McInnes also has Zander Clark and Ryan Fulton at his disposal to choose from, meaning there are four experienced goalkeepers competing for the position.

Schwolow, who joined from German side Union Berlin at the end of the transfer window, has started the last two games and has impressed with back-to-back clean sheets in wins over Rangers and Falkirk.

He believes the competition within the group can help bring the best out in each other and keep them on their toes, as they know that someone else will be ready to step in at any moment.

The 33-year-old said: “We have a lot of competition for the goalkeeping position. We are a big group of very experienced guys, so it’s good, we learn from each other, we have a good connection with each other and we help each other.

“We try to push ourselves, push each other, and I think competition makes you better in the long term. I’ve always had it in my career, and I think it’s a good thing.

“In football, I don’t look too much at someone’s age. I prefer to look at their performances on the pitch. We have a very good training group, and Craig is very good in training as well.

“As I say, it’s always good to have that level of competition to bring the best out in yourself.”

Hearts are currently top of the Premiership after a strong start to the campaign with five wins and a draw from their opening six games.

They are now preparing to host city rivals Hibernian at Tynecastle this weekend in the first Edinburgh derby of the season.

And Schwolow has been left in no doubt how much the game means to the locals and people within the club, with kit-man Gordon Patterson among those filling him in.

He said: “You notice from the people around you how important this game is to them. Our kit-man tells us how important this game is, and you get this feeling.

“So, you just try to prepare for it as much as possible.”