Hearts: Prychynenko exits as Tapping and McGowan stay

Hearts have decided to retain the services of Callum Tapping and Dylan McGowan but announced that Denis Prychynenko is to leave Tynecastle.

Prychynenko, a 21-year-old German midfielder who arrived from Tennis Borussia Berlin in 2009, has failed to become a first-team regular.

Hearts also had an option to terminate the contracts of 21-year-old McGowan and 19-year-old Tapping.

But the Edinburgh club decided against releasing the midfielders.

Hearts had recently announced that 22-year-old striker Gordon Smith, who has made only eight appearances this season, and 28-year-old utility man Darren Barr will not be having their contracts renewed at the end of the season.

McGowan's older brother left Hearts for China in January

Unlike Barr, Prychynenko, who is of Ukranian descent, was unable to command a regular place and made only four appearances this season.

The midfielder, who was on loan to Raith Rovers in 2011, told the club website: "Thanks everyone for all the great memories.

"I fell in love with Scotland, Edinburgh and Hearts. I will never forget."

The 19-year-old Tapping had a spell on loan with Alloa Athletic this season before going on to make 12 appearances for Hearts.

The London-born midfielder, who arrived from Tottenham Hotspur in 2011, also made an appearance for Scotland Under-21s.

McGowan's older brother, Ryan, was sold to Shandong Luneng Taishan in January.

However, the Australia Under-20 utility man, who had a spell back in his homeland with Gold Coast United last year, will remain at Tynecastle after making 21 appearances this term.

The retention of McGowan and Tapping comes despite the club being up for sale and owner Vladimir Romanov's business empire having collapsed.

Hearts have undergone a dramatic cost-cutting exercise, but the Scottish Premier League club's future remains uncertain following bankruptcy proceedings against Ukio Bankas, to whom they owe £15m.

It leaves the Tynecastle futures of several first-team players still to be decided or announced.

Hearts captain and Scotland defender Andy Webster, Lithuania captain Marius Zaliukas, fellow defender Danny Grainger, winger Arvydas Novikovas and 19-year-old right-back Fraser Mullen are all out of contract in the summer.

Young players Scott Robinson, Kevin McHattie, Brad McKay, Jack Hamilton and Dale Carrick have already agreed new contracts.