Nade claims could prompt legal action from Hearts

The striker, whose current deal expires at the end of June, insisted he had signed a new three-and-a-half year contract back in January but, following his dressing-room altercation with team-mate Ian Black, Nade claims the club tried to offer him a deal worth half what they agreed. The player insisted the prospect of him taking legal action was unlikely. "I can't be bothered because these people are not nice," he said.

He may find himself on the receiving end, however, if Hearts decide to take action.

The club have ridiculed the claims, branding the much-maligned striker 'desperate' and even taking a dig at his poor goal tally since joining from Sheffield United in August 2007.

A club spokesperson said: "We are considering our legal position given the unfounded comments made by Christian Nade. The player is still under contract with this club until the end of the month and, as such, he has breached the player code of conduct and we will address the matter internally.

"He has been informed that he will not be part of the club's future plans due to his poor strike rate in his three seasons at Tynecastle and his poor disciplinary record. However, we cannot let unsubstantiated comments such as these be accepted. There should be absolutely no doubt that no contract extension has been signed between Hearts and Christian Nade.

"It is fantasy to suggest that such a contract exists and it appears to be a very desperate measure by a very desperate player."