Out-of-contract former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder lashes out after being 'thrown under the bus' by former Barnsley manager at Hearts

The 35-year-old Irish midfielder spent four seasons at Hillsborough between 2004 and 2008 and was only four months into a year-long contract.

And responding to question marks over his professionalism towards the end of his time at Tynecastle, Whelan told the Irish Independent he ‘did the job he was asked to do’ and that former Barnsley boss Stendel had his card marked from the very beginning.

“Things were being said about me, that I didn't fancy it, I was laying down the tools,” Whelan said. “No way was that the case.

“When the new manager came in, the first person he spoke to was me. He was already having a bit of a go.

“My form was good for the last few months but the manager came in and wanted to show his power, show the other players that he's the boss, he's the main man.

“I do feel let down. The way my name is out there now it feels like I have been thrown under a bus."

The veteran midfielder, who has played 91 times for the Republic of Ireland, said that their relationship had come to a head when he learned he was to be left out of the Jambos’ Boxing Day defeat to city rivals Hibernian via a player’s WhatsApp group.

“I went to the manager to try and have a word,” Whelan added. “He was watching videos of the Hibs game and said he didn't have time to speak to me. That was the last of it for me at Hearts.

“I can't accept him coming out and questioning my leadership skills or saying I didn't do the job - I did the job he asked.”

“They call themselves a professional football club, but I never heard anything from anyone at Hearts,” he added.

“On Monday night, I got an email from someone at the club with the contract details, asking me to sign so we could go our separate ways. It was all very amateurish from their side.”