Scala homes in

HEARTS target Nevio Scala believes he is the man to lead a Tynecastle challenge to the Old Firm's dominance in Scotland.

The former Parma and Borussia Dortmund boss met Jambos chief executive Phil Anderton in London over the weekend to discuss the vacant manager's position and admitted he was "excited" at the prospect of a move to Scotland.

The 57-year-old has a wealth of experience and certainly falls into the big-name category that Vladimir Romanov has promised to recruit to spearhead his Tynecastle revolution.

The Italian has an impressive pedigree winning the European Cup Winners' Cup, UEFA Cup and European Super Cup during his spell in charge of Italian giants Parma.

The Hearts job is not the first position in Scotland that Scala has been interviewed for as he lost out to Berti Vogts for the national job in 2001.

More recently he won a Ukranian title with Shakhtar Donetsk although he has been out of the game for the last ten months since being sacked by Spartak Moscow.

However, he admitted today that the Hearts job could lure him back into the game.

"I'm very interested in the job," he revealed.

"It's now a case of discussing all aspects of the situation.

"I have certain principles in the way I work - there must be good lines of communication between me and the board. Challenges have always excited me and this is one I would accept with great enthusiasm.

"I know Celtic and Rangers have dominated Scottish football for years, but if a club's got plans, gets its thinking and its finance right, they you can make a success of it. There's a lot for myself and the Hearts people to discuss. If we come to an agreement and they offer me the job, great. If not, then I'll just carry on like before."

One stumbling block to Scala's appointment could be his lack of English as he barely speaks a word. However, he is confident he could overcome this if given the nod. "Give me a month or two and I'm sure I'd manage," he said. "I already understand when people talk to me in English."

Scala's lack of knowledge of the game in this country could also count against him although he insisted he was aware of some Hearts players. And like the language problem he believes this can be overcome.

"I have noticed that they [Hearts] have four guys in the national squad, and with the league not starting until August, I'd have enough time to get to know the players and the qualities they have to offer."

Anderton was unavailable for comment when the Evening News tried to contact him.

However, Scala is not the only manager Hearts are interested in with former Ipswich and Derby boss George Burley also near the top of the club's shortlist.

The Scot is due to be interviewed by Anderton later this week and with the club keen to have a new boss in charge before releasing details of their season ticket packages on June 27, their month long search for a manager looks to be drawing to a close.

Teenage sensation Lee Wallace, meanwhile, has handed Hearts a massive boost by signing a new three-year deal with the club.

The Evening News can reveal that, although the defender had a year to run on his current contract, the Gorgie outfit has moved quickly to secure his long-term future with the left-back putting pen to paper on an agreement which will keep him at Tynecastle until 2008.

The 17-year-old exploded onto the first-team scene last season after making his debut in the SPL clash at home to Kilmarnock in February. He missed just the one match through injury after being given his big chance by former boss John Robertson and today spoke of his delight at landing his new deal.

"I am delighted," said Wallace, who will still be only 20 when his new contract expires.

"However, I am not getting carried away as I know there is a lot of hard work which lies ahead of me. It's important that I keep my head down and now try to keep my place for the new season."

Taken from the Scotsman