Steven looking to bow out with win and a goal

MARK BONTHRONE

WHEN the final whistle rings out at the end of Hearts’ game against Motherwell on Sunday it will bring down the curtain on Steven Boyack’s Tynecastle career.

The midfielder, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has spent the best part of three-and-a-half years in Gorgie but, as is the case with team-mates Scott Severin and Andy Kirk, has been told the club can’t afford to offer him a new deal.

Despite this, Boyack insists he has nothing but fond memories of his spell with the Jambos - his only regret being the fact he has been out injured for much of this campaign.

And one moment in particular stands out above all others for the former Rangers and Dundee player.

"The highlight of my time at Hearts, without a shadow of a doubt, has to be the 5-1 win over Hibs," he revealed.

"It was an unbelievable day and with big Mark (De Vries) coming in and getting four goals you couldn’t have even dreamt the day would turn out like that.

"The team just clicked and everything went right.

"The way the fans celebrated and the feeling at the end of the game will stay with me for a long time."

Boyack was part of another famous win on Wednesday night and was given a standing ovation by the Hearts supporters at the end of Wednesday night’s stunning 1-0 win over Rangers at Ibrox.

The 27-year-old has been told by boss Craig Levein he will definitely start at the weekend to give him the chance to say an emotional farewell to those fans - a task Boyack admits will probably be done with a lump in his throat.

He said: "I got a lovely reception from the Hearts fans after the Rangers game and I am looking forward to saying goodbye on Sunday.

"I think it will be a bit emotional and I would be kidding myself if I said it wouldn’t be.

"I’m going to bring my wee boy to watch the game and hopefully I’ll be able to get him on the pitch afterwards so it can be a real family day.

"I have a lot of friends at the club and the boys have been fabulous.

"There is a really good team-spirit in the dressing-room and I will be sad to leave that behind but after Sunday’s game it will be time to move on."

Boyack returned to action a few weeks ago after a pulled stomach muscle and then an Achilles injury had kept him out for most of the season.

And with his time as a Hearts player drawing to a close he admits that one consolation to him is that his time is ending on a high note.

"To secure third spot was great and for me personally it’s just great to be back playing again after such a long time out injured," he admitted.

"I would have hated to have had my time at the club end with me still being out injured and unable to play. At least this way I can feel a part of things.

"I’ve known for a while it has been coming (being released) and the fact it’s not for footballing reasons does make it a little easier to take.

"The gaffer has kept me informed as best he can and has said it’s not for footballing reasons and it’s simply down to money.

"To get the win over Rangers during the week was fantastic from a footballing point of view although it was a little bittersweet for me.

"It was really confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that I would be leaving at the end of the season so you have the mixed emotions of that and a great win at Ibrox.

"I was really pleased to be involved in a game like that and if you are going to leave somewhere it’s best to do it on a high. Everyone saw how much the win meant to the players and I really enjoyed being part of it. It was a hard shift and with the players that were missing it was a great result and one I think most of the boys will remember for some time."

Terry Butcher’s Steelmen provide the opposition for the final game of the season and Boyack is eyeing one final win - and possibly a goal - to mark the end of his Hearts career.

"It would be great to go out on a high by winning in front of our fans," he said.

"We already have more points than we did last season which shows the progress the club is making.

"Hopefully, we can extend our lead over fourth place and maybe cut the gap on the teams above us as well.

"I’m glad to have been told I will be playing and if I could grab a goal as well that would top it off.

"I will be totally focused on Hearts on Sunday and then after that I will be available to play for other clubs.

"At the moment I don’t know where that will be and it’s just a case of waiting.

"Hopefully, though, if I do come back to Tynecastle I will get a decent reception from the fans as whenever I’ve pulled on a Hearts jersey I’ve always tried my best."

Taken from the Scotsman