Andy Halliday 'delighted' to sign two-year contract extension with Hearts

Hearts have signed Andy Halliday to a new deal, committing the former Rangers man to the club for another two years.

Halliday was a key player in last season’s Championship triumph and has helped Robbie Neilson’s side thrive on their return to the top flight.

That has been rewarded with a new contract at Tynecastle and confirmation that he is part of Neilson’s long-term plans.

“I’m absolutely delighted,” the player said. “It’s been on the back of my mind for a few weeks now and talks with the manager started in the middle of January.

“I can commend him because we’ve always had very honest conversations since the start of the season.

“He made it pretty clear that he wanted me to stay in the middle of January and I was delighted because it’s a club I want to stay at, and work to improve and deliver on the ambition I spoke about when I first joined.

“From there, negotiations were pretty simple.”

Neilson welcomed the commitment from a player who has now played 56 times for the club, scoring seven times.

“It’s great news that Andy has committed his future to the club,” he said.

“He’s a really experienced player and someone you need in your dressing room. He gives his all on the pitch and I know the fans appreciate the fact that you get nothing less than 100% from him.

“It’s a bonus for us that he is so versatile, as anyone watching our win over St Mirren at the weekend would’ve seen when he came on to slot in at right full-back.

“I’m happy he’s going to be here for another two years and he will continue to be an important part of this squad as we aim to keep on progressing.”

Sporting director Joe Savage said: “A big part of any success at a football club is stability and we’ve been working hard to ensure that, where merited, we keep that continuity going.

“We obviously got some of our key senior players signed up earlier in the year and Andy penning a new deal was the next piece of the jigsaw.

“Andy is a winner and you can see that when he goes out onto the pitch. He’s a great role model for younger players and I’m happy that we will continue to reap the benefits of his professionalism for another two years.”