Goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin has not ruled out staying at Hearts beyond the summer, even though manager Craig Levein is resigned to losing him.
The 30-year-old is part of the Scotland squad for the forthcoming friendlies against Peru and Mexico.
The former Burton Albion shot-stopper has attracted interest south of the border following a stand-out campaign, with Levein conceding that Hearts would not be able to compete financially with clubs in England.
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But McLaughlin admits he could still extend his stay at the Edinburgh club.
“At the moment, we certainly haven’t decided where we’re going next and we haven’t even decided that we are leaving Hearts," said McLaughlin.
“We’re still undecided, we still don’t know where the next chapter lies.
“We’ve had conversations, myself and the gaffer. They’ve always made it clear that they’d be very keen for me to stay. So far, we haven’t come to an agreement.
“I’m always open to talking to anybody who would be interested in having me as a goalkeeper at their club. So we just wait to see who we hear from.”
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McLaughlin, who helped the team rack up a club record eight successive clean sheets either side of the calendar year, added: “Of course, it would be great to have another experience somewhere else but equally, when you’ve had such success somewhere and really feel that you fit in at a club, that’s also a very important thing for a goalkeeper so I certainly wouldn’t dismiss still being at Hearts next season.
“You always want to play as high as you possibly can, trying to mirror the standard you’re playing at and you’ve been successful at here in Scotland.
“You certainly want to look for that similar sort of challenge again.
“I had a season with Burton Albion in the English Championship and that’s the sort of bar you want to set yourself.”
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