Hearts’ McCann Joins Falkirk, Tall Also Leaves

Hearts have parted company with winger Neil McCann and defender Ibrahim Tall as the impending summer clearout at Tynecastle begins.

McCann, who has secured a move to SPL rivals Falkirk, was a fantastic player for Hearts in his first spell with the club, showing the sort of electric pace, trickery and goalscoring knack that eventually saw him being capped for his country and eventually sealing a move to Rangers. However since returning to the club from Southampton just over two years ago, his career has been marred by a series of injuries, which have unfortunately not fallen into the trivial category. As such he has been able to contribute very little in his second spell with the club, even though he did manage to get a space on the open top bus that went around Gorgie after the Scottish Cup win in 2006!

But despite the disappointment of the last two years, McCann will leave Hearts with the best wishes of the fans. He never gave anything less than 100% and people appreciate that, even if he is no longer capable of the devastating play he once was. That said though, if he can keep himself reasonably fit over the next couple of years, he may well go onto become a shrewd signing for the Bairns – he does still have some pace in short bursts and his vast experience can only help a club like Falkirk. I wish him well.

As for Tall, I have mixed views about his departure from the club. On one hand I feel disappointment as in my opinion he is probably the best central defender that Hearts have – if only he’d been given a proper run in the side with a regular partner alongside him I reckon he could have gone onto become a really decent player for us. But on the other hand, Tall is another player who is rumoured to be on a megabucks deal and given that he has been on and off the treatment table for most of his time at the club, it’s perhaps not the worst news in the world that he’ll possibly make way for one of the younger lads (or another faceless favourite of our owner!). I certainly don’t have a problem with the club getting rid of the high earners, but when you consider what they’ve done with Pinilla it’s a bit inconsistent isn’t it?

Anatoly Korobochka had this to say about McCann and Tall leaving Hearts:

‘We would like to wish both players the very best.

‘Neil had a tough time with injuries when he was here but remained one of the most positive ambassadors for the club.

‘Ibrahim also suffered a spell with injury, however, he showed his professionalism and focus on the job at Hearts.’

Good luck to them both.

Good luck to them both.