Christophe Berra 'not bitter' about ending to Tynecastle career as he insists 'clean break' was needed from Hearts

Christophe Berra insists he harbours no resentment for the manner in which his Hearts career came to an end after officially leaving the Tynecastle side earlier this week.

Former Hearts captain Christophe Berra officially left Tynecastle earlier this week following the expiration of his contract. Picture: SNS

The former captain concluded a four-year second spell with his first club after being informed in March that he wouldn’t be offered a new deal for next season.

He was snapped up by fellow Scottish Championship side Raith Rovers – managed by ex-Hearts boss John McGlynn – on a pre-contract but was denied a swansong in Gorgie as he was absent from the line up for each of the last five matches of the campaign.

The 36-year-old was frustrated he didn’t get the chance to pull on the maroon shirt one final time, or the fact his entire final season was played out without supporters, but he understands the cut-throat nature of football having been a professional for two decades.

He told the Courier: “I’m disappointed with the way it ended and the fact I wasn’t involved in the last five games. But I can say that wasn’t down to me or anything I did.

“I am gutted I didn’t get an opportunity to say a proper goodbye to the supporters and I hope I get the opportunity to do that at some point in the future

“I love the club. I started my career at Hearts and had many good times. Captaining the club over two spells is something I’m incredibly proud of.

“That is football and I’ve been involved in this game long enough to know that. I’m not going to be bitter about the way things panned out, because the club was a massive part of my life."

Berra also took the decision to walk away from a job in the Hearts’ academy after the club gave him the option of staying on in a coaching role even once he found a new club.

He explained: “Roger Arnott was really good with me and it was a valuable opportunity to work with the under-14s and 16s. I’m sure I could go in there and help out any time I wanted.

“However, at this stage of my career, I need to concentrate on my football, get a clean break from Hearts and really hit the ground running at Rovers.”

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