Ghana midfielder Prince Buaben says he his determined to help Heart of Midlothian secure promotion to the Scottish top-flight.
He joined the Edinburgh club on a one-year contract last month but has spent a fair part of the intervening period fielding questions about why he is not playing at the top level.
The 27-year-old is fully charged, ready to begin a new chapter of his career and is certain to start in midfield against Rangers.
Yet he is still hearing people asking why Hearts and why the Championship.
ââ¬ÅPeople say I need to prove a point at my age, but I didnââ¬â¢t come here to prove any point,â⬠said Buaben, speaking exclusively to the Evening News.
ââ¬ÅI just came here to help the team get up. They belong in the Scottish Premiership so I want to do well for them and hopefully they can get promotion.
ââ¬ÅPeople have said I can do better than coming to the Championship in Scotland. They keep asking me why I came to the Championship. I just tell them itââ¬â¢s not because of any reason other than playing football and enjoying football again. Hopefully Hearts can go back up and then weââ¬â¢ll see what happens.
ââ¬ÅFootball is the same everywhere you play. Obviously the Premiership is a higher standard but, if you look at the Championship this season, I think itââ¬â¢s going to be better than the Premiership. Playing for Hearts against teams like Hibs and Rangers will be amazing.ââ¬