Jose Goncalves aims parting shot at Hearts

JOSE Goncalves has aimed a parting shot at the Hearts hierarchy as he prepares to end a four-and-a-half-year stay at Tynecastle.

The defender is out of contract this summer and refused to sign an extended deal.

That saw him frozen out of the team by manager Jim Jefferies, who insisted he would not play the 24-year-old.

Goncalves said: "I was very upset to be honest; it's just not fair. I don't think it's fair for any player at any club. If a player does not want to sign, it doesn't matter the reason, you must play him. It can just make things worse between the player, the manager and the club. I think you must play your best team, this is what football is all about.

"They asked me if I wanted to sign this contract. I told them why and why not. At Hearts it is very difficult to negotiate with the owner of the club. I was told if I don't sign the contract I will not play and I was feeling very upset with the way they treated me.

"If I thought the right thing was to sign, then I would sign and be very happy. But because things were not very nice for myself I decided not to sign. I think I made the right choice.

"It's not about the offer, it's about respect and principles. I have principles in life."