Arsenal loanee Harry Clarke aims to be better than Rangers' James Tavernier at Hibernian next season

Hibernian’s Harry Clarke has said that he is targeting improvement next season and will strive to be the best in his position, citing Rangers full-back James Tavernier as a player he wants to surpass.

The defender has been on loan from Arsenal since January, having previously caught the eye on loan at Ross County in the first half of the season.

Clarke moved on an 18-month deal but saw his opportunities hampered by injury. Now, although the team is working without a permanent manager and is in the bottom six after a disappointing season, he is taking the personal positives.

“I’m here until next season as far as I am concerned,” he said. “I’ve had a disappointing start in terms of getting injured but I’ve finally got that run of games that I wanted and hopefully I can take that into next season.

“I’ve loved it. Obviously it has’t been the dream move in terms of results and things but that’s football. I’m looking forward to next season.”

The versatile defender has been playing at right-back and is happy to have a run of games. He’s now focused on steady improvement and says his clear aim is to be the best in the country at what he does, with a big name in his mind as the level he wants to reach.

If he can make his mark as one of the stand-out players in Scotland, the 21-year-old thinks that can be the springboard to getting a chance with Arsenal at the Emirates.

“For me it’s about being the best in whatever position I’m playing, to be the best in the league,” Clarke said. “So if it’s right back I want to push James Tavernier or whoever it is to be the best in the league.

“And obviously it’s about proving people wrong who have said things in the past about me and for going back to Arsenal I want to prove to them that I can be in their team in the future.

“That’s the long-term goal.”