Moore just concentrating on helping Hearts this season

TAYLOR Moore has opened up on his move to Scotland and the discussions that led to him joining Hearts.

The centre-back praised Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson for being straight with him in the last transfer window, before a loan to Hearts for the season was completed.

Pearson and Moore have said that they are open-minded to the move becoming a permanent one, and how Moore, pictured, gets on at Tynecastle may play a big role in the decision.

To date, the 24-year-old has made three starts and appeared twice from the bench in the Scottish Premier League, as Robbie Neilson’s team have leaped up to second in the table.

“I have a contract at Bristol City and there is still quite a long time on it as well,” he told reporters in Scotland.

“My main concern is just enjoying my football this season and helping Hearts.

“When Bristol City decide to send someone out on loan, it’s probably for the long-term development of the player as well.

“They made that decision based on my best interests and theirs. At 24-years-old, I couldn’t afford to sit around and not play.

“The manager, Nigel Pearson, was very honest with how he saw things and that’s what you want as a player.

“If a manager isn’t feeling you or doesn’t really want you in his team, you want him to tell you. The problem I had was the contract. I couldn’t really afford to tear that contract up and walk away. A loan was the best option.

“You have a contract with a very good club. I plan on sticking to that for the moment but we’ll see how it all goes.”

Hearts usually play a three-man defence, which may help Moore who played some of his best football at Ashton Gate in Dean Holden’s 3-5-2 system. However, the former England Under-20s defender faces a tough task in pushing out regular central defenders John Souttar, Craig Halkett and Stephen Kingsley.

Hearts sit one point behind leaders Rangers after eight games played, and head to Ibrox for their next match.