Some Hearts players may be leaving but they will never be forgotten after hammering Hibs, says Craig Beattie

May 21 2012

THEIR names may not be written on new contracts but they’ll be etched forever in the historical fabric of Hearts.

And last night Jambos striker Craig Beattie paid tribute to his team-mates who are set to leave Tynecastle this summer.

Honest as ever, he admits his future might lie elsewhere but if he does, it will be with a resounding thanks for the memories.

Former Celtic hitman Beattie was only a bit-part player against Hibs, emerging from the bench with the score at 5-1, a tightness in his hamstring and a bug still floating around his system.

But his name will feature prominently when they come to write the story of this amazing Scottish Cup success after goals in the earlier rounds against St Mirren and, in particular, Celtic in the semi-final.

Hearts will instigate a programme of cutbacks in the summer with a change in ethos to focus on youth as lucrative contracts are not renewed.

Ian Black has already revealed he is leaving the club with Stephen Elliott, Rudi Skacel, Suso Santana and possibly Beattie himself set to follow.

The future of manager Paulo Sergio is also open to question as Hearts ponder taking up an option on his services for a second season.

Beattie, released by Swansea in February, said: “The boys are ecstatic to leave on something like a Cup win. We’ve created history and their names will live on forever at the club for what we’ve achieved.

“They still talk about players from several decades ago who won things for Hearts and this group has certainly achieved something now. It’s fantastic and a great day for the club, boys, management and everybody else involved.

“It couldn’t have gone any better, it was perfect. We conceded a sloppy goal at the end of the first half but we put the game to bed right at the start of the second.

“The boys were terrific. I don’t think Hibs were great, to be fair, but we didn’t allow them to be.

“I hope the club keep Paulo. The fans were singing his name afterwards. He works differently from many others but you must buy into it and trust him and he has been faultless.

“Tactically, I’m a bit more aware because of the way he works but I just needed a platform to play on.

“Paulo’s been good for me and, equally, I’ve done a good job for him, worked hard and been given a chance. We’ve all repaid him with a winner’s medal

“We’ll see what my future holds. We’ll sit down, talk, see what’s on offer and look at the options available. I’ve had a great time at Hearts and it’s certainly a valid option. They’re a massive club.

“The boys know about Blacky but it was contractual. He was informed about his future before the end of the season. Nothing else has been mentioned and I’ve been happy to go along with that.

“I’d expect talks now, although I don’t know what stage they’ll reach. I might be here next year, I might not.”

Taken from the Daily Record