In the position to be hearty? (7)

I believe the answer is:

central

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'in' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for central that I've seen before include "Focal" , "Middle; crucial" , "Near the middle" , "Key" , "Most important, principal" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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