Veteran returns to Hearts after transfer move as SPFL boss hails star with 'evident' top level experience

The Hearts goalkeeper is now back at Tynecastle.

The Premiership club have confirmed a Hearts return

Michael McGovern has returned to Hearts following his time at Livingston.

The 39-year-old goalkeeper was loaned to the Premiership side in January as they battled a goalkeeping injury crisis surrounding Shamal George and ex-Tynecastle stopper Jack Hamilton. Now that has passed, McGovern is back in Gorgie.

Signed last summer, the former Norwich City goalie will now back-up Zander Clark and Craig Gordon between the sticks at Hearts. The veteran has had a prolonged career in football north and south of the border. His youth career started at Celtic but he failed to make the break through after loan moves, with Ross County where he solidified his senior experience.

McGovern then moved to Falkirk and Hamilton before signing for Norwich City in 2016, who he left last year for Hearts. He has been capped 32 times by Northern Ireland and Martindale has witnessed why the goalkeeper has had such a long spell in the game.

He said: “Michael came in at a time when we were really struggling with no available first-team goalkeepers due to injuries picked up by both Shamal and Jack.

“With both ‘keepers now back to full fitness and available for selection again, Michael has returned to Hearts for the remainder of the season. I want to thank Michael for his time at Livingston and his professionalism whilst here.

“Seeing him working on a daily basis to the standards he sets made it very evident as to why he has had such a prolonged career at the top level.”