Robertson walks out to end love affair with Hearts

John Robertson's love affair with Hearts finally came to an end yesterday when the worst kept secret in Scottish football was confirmed. Robertson has opted to walk away from the club after being offered the lesser post of assistant head coach as part of a revised structure as the Hearts board begin their search for his replacement.

Robertson became the club's record goalscorer during an illustrious 10-year playing career at Tynecastle but his reign as head coach lasted just seven months.

Speculation has been mounting for weeks that his short-lived career as Hearts coach was about to come to an end and it was Robertson who urged the board - led by the majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov - to clarify his future.

A Hearts statement said: "Heart of Midlothian Football Club has today parted company with head coach John Robertson."

Robertson insists he has no regrets about leaving Inverness Caledonian Thistle seven months ago to accept his dream job.

"I would never have any regrets about joining Heart of Midlothian Football Club," he said.

"It hasn't left a bitter taste in my mouth. You learn from the years that you've been in the game that nothing surprises you. When you take a high-profile job like this, it's only a matter of time before your own position comes under speculation but you know the rules, you get on with it."