Hearts apologise to MacFarlane over mix-up

DAVID HOUSTON

THE Hearts hierarchy have apologised to midfielder Neil MacFarlane over the mix-up which saw his move to Dundee United collapse hours before the transfer window closed.

After being informed by Tynecastle manager George Burley there was a chance he could leave, the Hearts directors pulled the plug on the deal for the 27-year-old as he prepared for a medical at Tannadice.

Now, following a meeting with Hearts chief executive Phil Anderton and director Sergei Fedotovas, the ex-Airdrie man has accepted the apology and vowed to win back his first-team place.

MacFarlane said: "The gaffer had said if I got the chance of regular first-team football he wouldn't stand in my way. He gave me the clearance to go to United, but the board had to clear it.

"I spoke to Phil and Sergei on Thursday and they apologised for what happened. They know they messed me about. I have accepted it and will now try to knuckle down and win back my place in the team. I was looking forward to the challenge of playing for Dundee United, but now I have the challenge of forcing my way back into the Hearts side.

"I am certainly not disappointed to still be at Tynecastle. I love it here and never said I wanted to leave."

• St Johnstone manager Owen Coyle could be set to hand defender Scott Paterson a chance to resurrect his career at McDiarmid Park. Coyle ran the rule over the 33-year-old in a 1-0 closed-doors win over Airdrie at Perth yesterday.

Aberdeen-born Paterson, the former Dundee United and Partick Thistle player, is keen to put his two-year injury nightmare behind him and played for the full 90 minutes.

Coyle is seeking to bolster his defence after watching his side concede ten goals in their last four matches - and may take a chance on Paterson, despite the defender starting just three competitive games in over two years.

Paterson was released from his Tannadice contract during the summer and has been training with the Saints in recent weeks with a view to securing a move.

Taken from the Scotsman