Glenn Whelan leaves Hearts after just four months

Hearts have announced midfielder Glenn Whelan has left the club after just four months at Tynecastle.

The 35-year-old is not part of new manager Daniel Stendel’s plans for the squad and has left by mutual agreement.

Whelan, who previously played for Sheffield Wednesday, Stoke and Aston Villa and has 91 caps for Republic of Ireland, was signed by Craig Levein to add more experience to the team.

The player made 17 appearances as Hearts suffered a difficult first half to the season that sees them at the foot of the Premiership table.

After talking charge of his first games, Stendel has identified Whelan and Christophe Berra as players he felt needed to step up to the plate.

He said: “When you have played 400 games in professional football and played for big clubs in England, when things don’t work in a game like Saturday, what can happen?

“You have had a career before. The supporters are not happy, yes, you can blame this a bit but play your game. After this go home and next week it’s the next game and in two years you have stopped your career. Nothing will happen.

“When you are 20 you want to have a career and play successful football and play every week, then you have a little pressure to play without mistakes.

“But not when you are 30, 32, 33, whatever. Come on, play for me, make a mistake, it doesn’t matter, ask for the next ball. This is what we need.

“I know Glenn Whelan can take more responsibility on the pitch, and Christophe, we have a lot of players who can take more responsibility.”