Former Sheffield Wednesday goal machine released by Hearts

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Relegated Scottish Premier League outfit Hearts have announced a 15-man release list ahead of their drop into the second tier, with one former Sheffield Wednesday top scorer included.

Steven MacLean, a hero of the club’s 2005 promotion from League One under Paul Sturrock, is now a free agent at the age of 37.

He had spent the latter part of the season on loan at Championship side Raith Rovers, scoring two goals in seven appearances, before the Scottish football pyramid was cut short by the coronavirus crisis.

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Hearts were controversially relegated when the SPFL decided to cancel the rest of the season with eight matches remaining in the top tier. Celtic were announced as title winners for the ninth consecutive season.

In a statement, Hearts said last week that no club "should be unfairly penalised" amid the Covid-19 pandemic and that they are continuing to take legal advice.

“Legal action would be both time-consuming and expensive,” they said. “However, the cost to the club of relegation would outweigh these considerations.”

MacLean’s 20 goal season in 2004/05 included a dramatic penalty equaliser in the playoff final against Hartlepool and only Neil Mellor – also in League One back in 2010/11 – has scored 20 goals in a season for the Owls since.

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Hearts’ other former Wednesday player, Sean Clare, remains at the club with one year remaining on his contract and now faces the prospect of a season of Scottish second-tier football.

Steven MacLean was in red-hot form for Sheffield Wednesday in their 2004/05 promotion season.Steven MacLean was in red-hot form for Sheffield Wednesday in their 2004/05 promotion season.
Steven MacLean was in red-hot form for Sheffield Wednesday in their 2004/05 promotion season. | Getty Images

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