Ryan Stevenson is set to leave Hearts

THE confusion over Ryan Stevenson’s contract situation with Hearts is set to be cleared up today with the 29-year-old parting company with the relegated Edinburgh side, writes Craig P Stewart.

Ryan Stevenson still has a year to run on his contract, but his departure is expected today. Picture: SNS

Stevenson was the subject of conflicting reports as to whether he had been released from the club or not following the arrival of new chairwoman Ann Budge at the club. While goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald and Jamie Hamill were confirmed as departures on the day that new director of football Craig Levein and first-team coach Robbie Neilson were appointed by Budge, to replace Gary Locke and Billy Brown, no clarification of Stevenson’s situation was made.

The former St Johnstone, Ayr United and Ipswich Town player still has a year of a contract left, but Hearts are expected to confirm formally his departure from the club this afternoon.

A number of Scottish Premiership clubs are expected to make their move to recruit Stevenson once his departure is made official.