All's on the table as Tynecastle looks to the future

FOOTBALL'S capacity to heal all wounds – or wound all heels – was in evidence again at Hampden on Saturday.

This has been another turbulent season at Hearts, one in which their former manager was sacked after just two league games and the players became accustomed to receiving their wages late. There was also the threat of a wholesale clearout in January, when every member of Paulo Sergio's squad was supposedly up for sale.

This joyous William Hill Scottish Cup success over Hibernian, then, was a reward for all those who had endured those hardships and come out smiling on the other side.

"We've all got families to feed and bills to pay so it was a bit of a worrying time when we were told that our wages wouldn't be paid for a few weeks," said defender Danny Grainger, whose penalty put Hearts 3-1 up early in the second half. "But these things go out the window when it comes to a Scottish Cup final. We wanted to win the cup to have the winner's medal around our necks. That was all that mattered."

A handful of first-team players left at the turn of the year but the feared entire break-up of the squad did not materialise. Those who had options to move on but did not pursue them heaved a sigh of relief on Saturday evening, particularly Darren Barr, scorer of Hearts' first goal, who turned down the chance to sign for Bristol Rovers.

"At the time I just wanted games because I had waited so long to play," said the former Falkirk player. "I'd been at Hearts a while and hadn't really played – that was frustrating because I felt I could do a job. Football changes at times and people come in and out. I'm just grateful to have got this chance and have done okay since I've been in. This is what you dream of."

Grainger, in fact, might not have joined Hearts at all, turning down offers from clubs in England after deciding it was time to leave St Johnstone last summer. Jim Jefferies, soon to be sacked, would prove decisive in persuading the full-back to stay in Scottish football.

"There was talk of it [moving to England] and I spoke to a few teams," Grainger added. "But after speaking to Jim Jefferies I knew Hearts were the club for me. I'm delighted that I came here and this proves that was the right decision. I said when I left St Johnstone I wanted to go on to bigger and better things. I wanted to win things, so it's been a good move for me.

"It's fantastic to get a Scottish Cup winners' medal and we all deserve it for the season we've had, on and off the pitch. The boys deserve massive credit."

Hearts still face uncertainty as they look to cut costs. Ian Black's departure has been confirmed, while it looks likely that Rudi Skacel will also be off. For others, talks in the coming days and weeks will decide whether they will remain at Tynecastle next season.

"I'm out of contract now so I don't know what will happen," said striker Stephen Elliott. "I'll enjoy the next couple of days then maybe speak with the club and my representative. If that was to be my last performance for Hearts then there could be no better way to go out than beating your local rivals in a Scottish Cup final. If that's the case I won't be too disappointed."

Craig Beattie, who has made a sizeable impact during a short-term deal, is another who will have to weigh up his options once they become clear. "I've had a great time at Hearts and staying is certainly as valid an option as any," he said. "They are a massive club with big potential."

Taken from the Herald