Everyone at Heart of Midlothian was saddened to learn that former player Angus Beith has been forced to retire from the game due to an ongoing hip injury.

The 23-year-old midfielder joined Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the summer from Hearts. Angus was a Heart of Midlothian Academy graduate and featured in the reserve and first team on numerous occasions before his move north.

Inverness manager John Robertson said:

“Everyone is gutted for Angus as he has worked very hard to get back from his surgery and was close to playing on a couple of occasions.

“Unfortunately, he just could not overcome the pain in his hip that would allow him to compete then recover from playing games. Angus was a complete midfield player with passing ability and box to box energy that we all hoped would be a real asset to the club and its tragic that he has to step away from the game he loves at such a young age.

“It has been an emotional time for him and this decision will have been tough to make and not done lightly.”

Angus will be returning to Hearts to join the youth coaching team at the Academy.

Craig Levein said: “Angus was a popular character here as a player and we have no doubt that he will prove himself to be a great role model for our emerging young talent."

Hearts and Inverness CT will also play a benefit match for Angus at Tynecastle Park on a date to be agreed.