The Scotsman

Johnsen ‘fine’ with Cathro but admits his Tynecastle future is in doubt

- By IAIN COLLIN

Bjorn Johnsen has confessed his future at Hearts is up in the air this summer, despite claiming his relationsh­ip with head coach Ian Cathro is “fine”.

Johnsen and Cathro were involved in an angry exchange at half-time in the defeat by St Johnstone last month, with reports suggesting the pair had to be prevented from coming to blows.

Cathro later played down the confrontat­ion and Johnsen, who was substitute­d at the interval in the 1-0 defeat, subsequent­ly played the full 90 minutes of the final game of the season against Celtic only four days later.

The New York-born marksman still has two years of his three-year deal left to run but question marks hang over whether he will still be at Tynecastle next term. The 25-yearold is on internatio­nal duty with Norway, after receiving a first call-up from his father’s country of birth, and has picked the brains of experience­d head coach Lars Lagerback over his future.

Asked about his dispute with Cathro, Johnsen said: “My relationsh­ip with the coach is fine.

“I am a person of emotion. When you do not win or are not doing well, you will show it. He is the same. It was a tough period for the club and we were in for half-time.

“I was just frustrated. There was a discussion, but it blew over.”

Speaking to the Norwegian media, Johnsen added: “My status in the club is good. But what happens, I do not know.

“I have talked to Lars [Lagerback] about the future and what is best for me, but I will think about it after the games with the national team.”

 ??  ?? 0 Bjorn Johnsen: Norway duty.
0 Bjorn Johnsen: Norway duty.

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