New signing Ryan Stevenson appreciates the Hearts fans may not know much about him - but he plans to put that right as soon as possible.

The 25-year-old was snapped up by Jim Jefferies on transfer deadline day and is poised for a dream debut in tomorrow's Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Celtic at Parkhead.

The former Ayr United midfielder is desperate to make his mark in maroon and prove to the Gorgie faithful he has what it takes to be successful with Hearts.

Revealing he was close to signing for St Mirren and then St Johnstone before Jim made his move, Ryan said: "My agent phoned me on Sunday to say Hearts' interest was concrete and the rest is history. I was close to signing for St Mirren on the Friday as that was the only thing I had and if truth be told I just wanted to get into the SPL.

"I had taken a step back from St Johnstone in the first division to Ayr to try to take two forward. I was coming to the end of my contract and I wanted to get into the SPL to try to showcase what I can do.

"Friday it was all about St Mirren then on Saturday Ayr's game against Raith was called off and I found out that St Johnstone were interested that afternoon. On the Monday it looked like being St Johnstone until late on in the afternoon.

"Then Hearts and Ayr managed to sort everything out and that was a blessing for me as this is where I wanted to come.

"Had it not happened for whatever reason, I'd have been devastated.

"I know a lot of Hearts fans probably don't know who I am but I want to change that as quickly as I can. I want to show them that I am a good player and that I'll be a good asset for Hearts.

"It is the right step for me coming to a massive club and hopefully I can help Hearts and they can help me improve as a player. I don't think many players are going to get a move from Ayr United to Hearts so the whole thing was a bit surreal. It was a dream come true."

Ryan is relishing the prospect of making his debut in front of a capacity Parkhead crowd, insisting he will be undaunted by the occasion.

Speaking to the media at Riccarton ahead of the Celtic showdown, he said: "Sometimes it can help being flung into the deep end as it's sink or swim. The pressure side of it doesn't faze me - there are people fighting wars so that's not really pressure. I love playing football and to play at Parkhead in front of 65,000 you can't ask for anything more.

"I'm itching to get out there and show I'm good enough to play for this club. I'm just looking to play football and show that I can play at this level. I'm not coming here to sit on the bench and be a squad player. I want to work hard every day and try to be in the manager's plans for every game.

"I want to try to do as well as I can for myself. It is a short career and if that meant being at Ayr then fine, I would give it 100 per cent. The same applies here. What better place to try to show you are a good player than playing at Tynecastle every other week and doing well in the SPL. I want to show I am a good player and who knows what might happen from there."

On Hearts.TV, Jim Jefferies and Ryan Stevenson meet the media at Riccarton ahead of trip to Celtic Park.