No deal for Chisholm after Paatelainen's exit

Published on Sunday 21 June 2009 22:32

RELEASED Hibernian midfielder Ross Chisholm has expressed his disappointment after the club performed a U-turn over a new contract.

The 21-year-old's form during the post-split fixtures, which included an eye-catching performance in the win against Hearts, appeared to have convinced manager Mixu Paatelainen he was worth fresh terms.

However, Chisholm had not signed a new deal prior to Paatelainen deciding to step down at the end of last month.

And new manager John Hughes' appointment has led to a change in circumstances.

Chisholm said: "I was pleased with my performances in the last six games, but unfortunately the manager left and a new one has come in, and I'm not in his plans.

"I have to move on and I wish the club all the best. My agent didn't even speak to the new manager; it was the chairman Rod Petrie that called my agent and said they would not be giving me anything.

"I was a little bit disappointed with the length of time it took as I thought I was getting a new deal.

"If they had said to me three months ago I was not getting one it would have made it easier; teams could have come and watched me in the last three or four games."

Chisholm, who came through the Easter Road youth ranks, admits the uncertainty surrounding television broadcaster Setanta is wreaking havoc with his bid to find a new club.

He said: "My agent is talking to teams – there are a few in Scotland and there is one down south.

"There is one in the SPL and two in the First Division. There are teams there, but they don't want to do anything as they wait to see what happens with the Setanta situation."

&#149 Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo insists there are no plans to appoint a successor to Angel Chervenkov as reserve team coach.

Under-19 coach Darren Murray took on the responsibility of overseeing the remaining reserves matches and Laszlo insists he expects the current arrangement to continue next term.

Laszlo, who is expected back from Lithuania following talks with owner Vladimir Romanov over budgets for next season, said: "We must talk about this, although our technical team is very good. We have Darren and Werner Burger (assistant manager] and I don't see the need to have a new reserve coach. I am happy with the staff."