Josh Ginnelly has opened up on his Hearts contract talks as he gave a detailed insight into the factors he is weighing up.
The Jambos attacker has been a key player this season under Robbie Neilson and interim boss Steven Naismith with 12 goals in all competitions from 38 appearances. That includes experience of both Europa League qualifying and the Europa Conference League group stage with the 26-year-old stating how 'massive' finishing third again is for the club. That remains his main focus for now with three games to play and Aberdeen next up.
Ginnelly says in an ideal world he would like to stay at the club but says a number of factors are involved and it is not just a case of signing a piece of paper. Family comes into play as he admitted he would need to make sure everything is right in regards to that while stating it also needs to be what he and the club both want.
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Providing an update on his situation as his contract ticks down, he told Edinburgh Evening News: "I’m the one out of contract but my main focus is actually finishing the season as strongly as I can. Getting that third spot is massive for the club. Whether I’m here or not, we need to get that third spot because we’ve thrown it away right now.
“I would never, ever dismiss what I’ve got at this club. I’m usually the changing-room clown everywhere I go and I still am, but I’ve got a really good relationship with everybody. I’m constantly smiling around the place and I’m happy. That’s a credit to the team and who has come in. Everybody is pulling in the right direction.
“It’s obviously a tough decision but I’m not too involved in the conversations. Ideally, I do want to stay. I’m obviously at an age where I need to look out for myself. I’m not saying I’m going because I don’t know yet. Fans will think it’s just me but my agent reports back to me and we talk about it. I’ll probably talk about it with Naisy and people around the club.
“It’s never just: ‘Here’s a piece of paper, sign it.’ If I sign, it needs to be what I want and what the club wants as well. It needs to benefit everyone. I’m just hoping we can get to that point and keep pushing forward.”
He added: “I haven’t seen my family more than three times this year. It’s a long way for me to go if I want to go home – six or seven hours. These things all come into play.
“If I do decide to sign then I have to bring everybody up, so I have to make sure the deal is right. It sounds crazy but you never know what happens in life. My family is the only thing I’m bothered about. Like I said, it’s not just about a piece of paper. I need to make sure it’s right for my family and myself. I’m hoping we can come to an agreement.
“I’m a Mumma’s boy and I don’t care about saying that. I dont’ get to see my mum a lot, or my dad, my sister, my brother, nieces and stuff. That all comes into context because I’m not just thinking about myself. Football is nothing compared to your family.”
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