Hamill had ‘25 seconds’ ...then was out the door

WHEN the body count is tallied up, they’ll be listed as collateral damage. But there are some pretty big names, some fairly important figures, among the players axed by new director of football Craig Levein yesterday. The former Hearts boss was the one doing the chopping, incidentally, Levein breaking the news to all of the club’s out-ofcontract players — bar Sam Nicholson and Gary Oliver, who have been offered new deals — that they wouldn’t be kept on. According to one victim of the cull, the meet, greet and a sweet farewell with the man now in charge of everything from the youth system to the first team took ‘a quick 25 seconds.’ Ryan Stevenson (right), despite having a year left on his contract, was also cut loose yesterday. Although the club immediately insisted that Stevenson himself had instigated a release clause in his contract, the attacking midfielder looked genuinely distraught as he, Jamie Hamill and Dylan McGowan embraced club captain Danny Wilson — the only one of the quartet remaining — in a fond farewell. Later, Stevenson, whose second stint at Hearts saw him shoulder greater responsibility as an old head in a youthful squad, posted his thoughts on his Instagram account, declaring: ‘Words can’t really describe how I’m feeling right now! I’m totally shattered that I’ll be leaving Hearts. ‘I just want to thank all the fans who welcomed me back when I returned (from Ipswich). You have made my time at the club so special. I also want to say thanks to all my teammates. You have been like brothers to me in a year which has been difficult for me off the park; you were always there for me. ‘And, lastly, to my manger, I’m sure you’ll be back in football soon, top man and a top manager. Thanks again love you all x.’ If his comments seemed a little emotional, well, it was a tough day for many at Hearts. Among them goalkeepers Jamie MacDonald and Mark Ridgers, both set free — begging the obvious question over whether Craig Gordon’s recent training stint with the Jambos was a precursor to a comeback. Footballers are released every summer, some deservedly and some for budget reasons, others because the style of the team has changed. But the decision to release MacDonald, recently voted Player of the Year for the second season running, seems downright odd. Unless it’s all about cutting costs by removing players who, despite taking wage cuts last season, might have expected real money now that the club is in the black. Hamill said: ‘I didn’t get any reasons but I knew it was coming, so I planned not to be here. I had a good time. All the boys have been brilliant and, hopefully, they can come up next season. ‘I had a quick 25 seconds with Craig Levein and that was me back out the door. I can’t even remember what he said to me. ‘You get the impression you’re just not going to get renewed as such. I think it is a bit harsh. ‘But Stevo and Jamie Mac? I’m bemused with that, especially with Ryan. He still has a year left on his contract and I’m devastated for him. ‘He has been brilliant this season and Jamie MacDonald has been our best player for the past two seasons. It will be a poisoned chalice for the next goalkeeper coming in.’