Ex-Hearts ace Jamie MacDonald on difficulty of finding a new club

Jamie MacDonald is yet to find a new club. Picture: SNS

The goalkeeper is out of contract after leaving Kilmarnock

Former Hearts goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald has revealed the difficulty facing players like himself trying to get a contract for next season.

The 34-year-old left Kilmarnock at the end of his deal, rejecting the Rugby Park side’s renewal offer.

MacDonald was unable to commit to the contract with the money on offer, preferring to look for a club closer to Edinburgh, as he told the Evening News.

However, he is yet to find a new club and the player suggests that clubs are still waiting for the verdict of the legal case between Hearts and Partick Thistle and the SPFL for greater clarity.

“It’s a difficult period for most players – it’s not the best time to be out of contract," he told the Daily Record.

“Probably the Hearts thing has held things up in terms of clubs willing to speak to players and knowing budgets.

“There will be a wee bit more movement in the next couple of weeks as the clubs know roughly when the leagues are going to start and which league they’ll be in. There are a few I have been speaking to but it’s just waiting for firm offers.

“Because of the situation, people are waiting to get their budgets in and clubs probably don’t want to pay players just now. They’re going to wait as long as they possibly can.

“So it’s just a waiting game at the minute. Unfortunately for players out of contract we’re just going to have to sit tight at the minute and wait for everybody to get on with things.”

On leaving Kilmarnock, MacDonald admitted he would be keen on a move back to Hearts having played for the club more than 130 times.

Following the signing of Craig Gordon, it has effectively ruled out a Tynecastle switch. He has, however, not ruled out Hibs as a possible option if the opportunity presented itself.

“You never say never in football," he said. “It’s a job and you need to look at it that way as well. There’s lots of different things. At 34 the good thing about me being a goalie is I’ve still got plenty of years left.”