Hearts-bound Maclean looking to contribute on and off the pitch at Tynecastle

Steven MacLean is hoping to play an important role on and off the pitch after it was confirmed he would be joining Hearts at the end of the season.

The experienced St Johnstone striker has signed a pre-contract to join the Jambos in the summer after six years in Perth.

The 35-year-old has penned a two-year deal to join the club at the end of his current deal with Saints, and says he will be looking to help bring on the exciting youngsters at Tynecastle as well as make an immediate impression on the pitch.

He told Hearts TV: Craig (Levein, manager) wants me to come in and play and try and help the younger ones out as well.

He spoke to me and said a big part of it is he wants me to come in and play and nail down a spot, and with my experience try to help the younger players as well. Hopefully they can learn from me while I'm playing.

I've got plenty of experience and I've played at some big clubs in my time. I've played in different leagues as well and I've learned from some top players over the years.

Hopefully I can bring that side to the younger ones and help them along the way. I'm also hopeful that I can nail down that spot in the team. I want to come here and do well, and hopefully we can finish as high up the league as possible.''

The forward has been a big player in his time at St Johnstone, making almost 200 appearances and scoring 54 goals in all competitions following spells at nine other clubs in Scotland and England.

He has played at Tynecastle twice this season, coming out on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline both times and he is looking forward to being on the other side next year.

I know the league and I know everything about Hearts. I know they've got passionate fans and I've played at Tynecastle a few times,'' he said.

I'm really looking forward to that and putting the shirt on and actually playing for Hearts instead of playing against them.'