Ivanauskas tells Johnson and Hackett they can go

HEARTS pair Lee Johnson and Chris Hackett - both signed by former manager Graham Rix in January - are to be told they can leave Tynecastle.

Hackett, a £20,000 signing from Oxford United, has not played for the first team since Rix lost his job in March. Johnson, signed for £60,000 from Yeovil Town, has made only one appearance since the middle of February - the meaningless trip to Rangers on the final day of the SPL season.

"Lee has done well, but we must find a solution to his situation," said Hearts interim head coach, Valdas Ivanauskas. "We have so many players, so for him it be would be better to find a new club."

On Hackett, Ivanauskas added: "In his position, on the right side, we have many players so I think it would be better for him to look elsewhere too."

There was better news, though, for 19-year-old third-choice goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald, who has signed a new two-year deal to keep him at the club until the summer of 2008. He is keen to leave Tynecastle on loan for a few months to gain first-team experience.

Taken from the Scotsman