HEARTS COUNT IN TWO MORE FROM KAUNAS

HEARTS look set to bring in two more Lithuanians with Andrius Velicka and Kestutis Ivaskevicius said to be close to sealing deals.

FBK Kaunas striker Velicka watched the Jambos beat Inverness 4-1 at the weekend and it is thought he and teammate Ivaskevicius will agree terms before the transfer window closes on Thursday.

The pair were among four Lithuanian trialists who featured in Hearts' 2-0 preseason win over Spanish side Osasuna at Murrayfield in which Velicka hit a superb opener.

They all returned to FBK Kaunas immediately after that game but Marius Zaliukas arrived back in Scotland just over a week ago and made his Hearts debut in the win over Caley Thistle.

If Velicka and winger Ivaskevicius also seal moves, they will join compatriots Saulius Mikoliunas, David Cesnauskis, Edgar Jankauskas, Nerijus Barasa and Zaliukas.

The impending arrival of the Lithuanian duo will no doubt raise more eyebrows in Gorgie among supporters keen for the club to retain it's identity.

Owner Vladimir Romanov is credited with saying it would be a dream to field a Hearts side full of players from his adopted country.

Taken from the Daily Record