Glenn Whelan has left Hearts by mutual consent the club confirmed today.
Hearts released a very brief statement on their website today to confirm the Republic of Ireland midfielder has departed the club.
Glenn Whelan has today left Hearts by mutual agreement.
📲https://t.co/YripFxkPKQ pic.twitter.com/ahIHGl0JIo— Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) January 7, 2020
The statement read:
Glenn Whelan has today left Heart of Midlothian Football Club by mutual agreement.
The Republic of Ireland midfielder made 17 appearances during his four-month spell in Gorgie.
The club wishes Glenn well in the future.
Leadership
Whelan joined Hearts in August then under Craig Levein, who wanted to add experience to the squad.
New manager Daniel Stendel though has questioned Whelan's leadership qualities and left him out of the Edinburgh derby squad before the winter break.
The writing was on the wall for Whelan when Stendel made some scathing public comments about the midfielder
He said last month: "He wants to take the responsibility but I have seen only three games. Do you have the feeling he is a leader in this group?
“It's not Glenn's fault - but a real leader in the centre of the pitch? Sorry. Maybe I missed it. Maybe Michael Smith tries to take responsibility on the pitch.
"We can bring one in but also we can improve one other player to take more responsibility.
"Before I came here, they signed some players who have experience and are the right age to take the responsibility.
“Maybe they are not fit at the moment or they cannot handle the situation at the moment."
Whelan did not report for training on Monday morning making today's announcement all the more inevitable.
