'Goosbumps' for Altena after 'dream' Hearts debut

Jordi Altena says "it was a dream" to have made a winning debut for Hearts on Saturday less than a year since playing amateur football back in his Dutch homeland.

The 22-year-old right-back made an instant impact, providing the deep cross that set up Craig Halkett to head the only goal against Livingston as Hearts went six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

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"I couldn't even dream about a day like this, so I'm really happy," Altena told BBC Scotland.

"I think the first moment, when the game was about to start, the fans were chanting and it gave me like, you know, the, how do you call it in Scotland? Goosebumps?".

Altena came through the youth ranks with Vitesse Arnhem but had made only two appearances for the senior side before moving to De Treffers in the Dutch third tier in 2024.

He won a move to Waalwijk in the division above last summer, with Hearts moving for his services after just 23 appearances in which he scored four times and provided eight assists for the mid-table side.

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Altena explained that he had been happy at Waalwijk, but his performances attracted interest from Hearts and other clubs.

"I didn't even talk to the other clubs," he revealed. "When Hearts came, it was a beautiful chance for me and I couldn't say no."

Altena admitted he did not know much about Hearts previously but was impressed by videos he was sent of the stadium, their games and Edinburgh.

"Not many of my people could tell me something about Hearts, but they could about the city," he said. "And they said it's an amazing city and you're going to love it here.

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"The gaffer gave me a really good feeling and the club itself when I talked to them. So I think that was the main thing."

After being handed an immediate starting place in a table-topping side, and "an assist and a win" on "a great debut", Altena admitted it is "a crazy start" and "I can't wait for the upcoming games".

On Atlena's debut, Hearts boss Derek McInnes said: "Jordi did well. I thought his touch was so pure, lovely feet.

"For a debut, it's not always easy, he's only had a few days training with us, but I think you can see he's a very good technical player, very confident with his work."