Exclusive: Jamie Walker reveals his plan for the future as he answers question on Hearts exit

“What’s in your mind at the moment? What do you want to do next season?” was the query. On loan at Bradford City from Hearts and out of contract this summer, Walker must contemplate the probability that he will leave Tynecastle Park.

It isn’t what he wants. However, sitting on the substitutes’ bench or in the stand is no use to a goalscoring talisman approaching 29. “It’s a tough question,” he admits, bringing that long pause to an end.

“If Hearts were getting into the Europa League next year and going with a bigger squad, I don’t know. You’d probably need to ask [manager] Robbie Neilson. If they wanted to offer me something then I would be open to doing that. It’s my home, that’s where my wife and kids are.

“Bradford is a big club. If they were going to offer me something that suited me and my family, then I’d also be open to doing that. I just need to see what options are on the table. You never know what options might come up in League One down here or somewhere else.

“Me and my agent will speak. My focus is on getting back into the Bradford team. Basically, right now you are thinking about the summer. It’s always at the back of your mind.”

At the moment there is no deal on the table from Hearts. Walker made only four league appearances during the first half of the campaign, all as a substitute, hence the decision to accept Bradford’s loan offer back in January.

He needed to play in order to showcase his talents and effectively put himself in the shop window for the summer. Fellow Scot Derek Adams did the loan deal before being replaced as manager at Valley Parade by Mark Hughes.

Walker remains solely focused on game time amid the upheaval. For him, this move is the means to an end. His plan is to attract attention