Hearts defender Juwon Oshaniwa unfazed by Scottish weather

Juwon Oshaniwa is just four months into life at Hearts but the full-back is already getting used to the harsh Scottish winter after spending his entire career in the warmer climes of Israel and his native Nigeria.

The defender signed for the Edinburgh club at the start of August having spent three years at Ashdod in Israel, which is used to temperatures of around 20 degrees celcius in December.

He also represented his country at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil alongside Celtic's Efe Ambrose, and has 17 caps for the national side.  

Oshaniwa has had to learn quickly that Scotland is the polar opposite weather-wise during the festive period but insists it does not affect his ability to play football.

In an interview with Sky Sports presenter David Tanner he said: "It has been a great few months but it's difficult when it comes to the weather. But my mind is already made up that I'm hoping to take every challenge and circumstance that is coming my way.

"So I wouldn't say it has had a negative impact on me. There is always room for improvement and acclimatisation.

"There is a big difference. When we played in Brazil it was so hot but it's the same kind of weather when I used to play in Israel. I just go in there, do a little tune up, I'm already warm and ready to go but here you need a deep warm-up to get your muscles and everything ready for kick off. This is life for you, but we are professional."

Early in his Scottish football career the 25-year-old was quoted as saying Hearts could beat Celtic to the Premiership title, just months after the club had been promoted from the Championship.

While he says nothing is impossible in football, he has reined in that rhetoric somewhat and is instead focusing on achieving qualification into European football next term.

Third-placed Hearts travel to Aberdeen on Saturday, Live on Sky Sports 2, in a match vital to both team's progress. In the last meeting between the pair, some magic from Niall McGinn and a David Goodwillie double gave the Dons a 3-1 win at Tynecastle.

"Yes, it is a big game. If we are to participate in Europe next season then this kind of game we need the maximum three points up there," said Oshaniwa. "We know it's not going to be an easy game, respect to Aberdeen they are a good side too. They took maximum points from the first game against us this season. So it's possible for us to do that too.

"If we must qualify for European competition, we must go out there and do what we know how to do individually, and collectively, with total determination, total fight and I can see ourselves coming out with maximum three points at the end of the game."

Aberdeen away on Saturday kicks off a huge month for boss Robbie Neilson who heads north again next week to face St Johnstone in Perth before hosting Celtic at Tynecastle on December 27, live on Sky Sports. 

And Neilson knows the importance of continuing his side's recent unbeaten run of four matches, saying: "I think it's a huge game for both clubs. The two teams are trying to stay as close to Celtic and it's great for us to come back having been promoted and be playing these games straight away."

"I've said for the last few weeks that December is going to be a tough month and if we come through it in good shape then we've got a good chance to push as hard as we can for the end of the season."

You can watch Aberdeen v Hearts on Sky Sports 2 on Saturday from 12pm.