Ben Woodburn exclusive: On-loan Liverpool forward on extending his stay at Hearts and what to do next with Anfield contract about to expire

The future is as uncertain as Hearts’ prospects of a result at McDiarmid Park tomorrow. Their winless run in Perth exceeds a decade, another thing for young Woodburn to deal with just now.

He won’t overthink things because that would achieve nothing. After six months, 21 appearances and three goals on loan in Scotland, he has seen enough to know whether he wants to hang about.

“Hearts have been great for me. I’ve enjoyed my time here and, if the situation suits, I would 100 per cent consider staying at Hearts,” says the forward, speaking exclusively to the Evening News.

“There’s always a little bit of thought behind my future but nothing is in place. There is definitely going to be a decision but I just have to see how well I can do until the end of the season.

“I’ve been at Liverpool since a really young age and it will always have a massive place in my heart. It’s down to me and down to them if they want to do something in the summer. If not, we’ll start looking elsewhere.

“I don't have long left. Potentially I could start looking now but I don't really like to think about it during the season. There is so much on at the minute but my contract is up in the summer and I’ve got nothing nailed down.”

Woodburn’s vast salary at Anfield may be one obstacle to a deal. It remains to be seen if Hearts will motion him round the negotiating table. A place in the Tynecastle starting line-up has eluded him since the Premiership’s winter break and, at 22, he is realistic enough to acknowledge the need for more consistency in his game.

“I would say in some games I’ve shown glimpses of me at my best. On a consistent basis, there’s more to come,” he says. “I feel I get the best out of myself when I’m playing regularly. So I need to