Glenn Whelan is the first official casualty of the Daniel Stendel era as Hearts have confirmed the Irishman’s Tynecastle departure.

Only arriving in the summer, Stendel was quick to deem him surplus to requirements in Gorgie. Whelan leaves Edinburgh after 17 appearances in maroon.

Whelan has left Hearts and some fans are seemingly not fussed. (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

A regular under Craig Levein, the ex-Aston Villa man wasn’t even in the final two Hearts squads prior to the winter break. It’s a big statement from Stendel after Whelan was widely seen as a good experienced addition in the summer.

Promising performances early on suggested they’d found a good player too. Performances have waned though as Hearts’ overall form continues to dip, however, and his influence hasn’t been as evident.

It’ll free up room for Stendel to bring in his own players and perhaps some fresh ideas. He’s already recalled Harry Cochrane and Anthony McDonald from Dunfermline.

Cochrane is back. (Photo by Alan Rennie/Action Plus via Getty Images)

Alex Petkov and Connor Smith have also returned from their loan spells at Clyde and Cowdenbeath. Club captain Christophe Berra is also expected to leave Tynecastle.

Whilst he has been a regular, some Hearts fans clearly won’t lose sleep over the departure of Whelan.

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