HEARTS' most loyal servant and top goalscorer, John Robertson, was told yesterday he was being allowed to leave after 18 years.
The 33-year-old, who has attained deserved legendary status among the Tynecastle faithful, said he had been saddened but not surprised at the decision not to offer him a new contract.
Manager Jim Jefferies and his assistant Billy Brown met with the striker for more than an hour yesterday when they explained their reasons for letting him leave the club. ''It was obviously an emotional meeting for me,'' said Robertson, ''I have had 18 good years at the club and they have had 18 good years out of me.
''Jim and Billy told me they couldn't guarantee me first-team football and were allowing me to move on. There was no animosity, no bad feeling at all, it was simply a football decision.
''I have great emotional attachment to the club and to leave on the high of being involved in a winning Scottish cup final squad and all the celebrations that brought was a great end to my career at Tynecastle.''
Robertson said he would now be listening to offers for his services and believed he could still do a job for a top club. It is believed a number of teams are interested, including Hibs.
The decision to ring down the curtain on Robertson's career at Hearts brings to an end a distinguished period in which he played more than 700 times for the club and scored more than 300 goals. He said: ''I have great memories of my time at Tynecastle and the club have been great to me. I have played with great players and in great teams.
''I will always have a special place for Hearts but from a personal point of view I have to remain focused and look to the future. I have a mortgage, a wife and four children to support and it is important I stay in football.
''I believe I can still do a job on the park and maybe coaching and a managerial position could be on for me in the future.''
Hearts chairman Leslie Deans insisted that long after the present players, management team and board were gone, the name of John Robertson would live on.
''John has made a fantastic contribution to Hearts football club and he is right up there amongst the Hearts heroes,'' said Deans.
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