Scala waiting for the call

NEVIO SCALA today intimated his desire to manage Hearts - as the Evening News received unconfirmed reports that Graeme Souness has been in discussions with Vladimir Romanov.

As Hearts began combing Europe for a new head coach this morning after the dismissal of Graham Rix, Scala revealed he spoke with a Tynecastle director as recently as January.

The Italian called Romanov's niece, Julija Goncaruk, earlier this year to maintain contact with Hearts after he had met Romanov last summer for detailed discussions on becoming the new head coach before George Burley's appointment.

The former Parma coach insists there was no talk in January of him being a possible replacement for Rix but, with the Englishman now gone, Scala is desperate to hear from Romanov again.

"Yes I am still interested, I am always interested but until now I haven't received a call from Hearts," he said from his farm in Padova. "I am waiting. When somebody calls me I am ready to speak.

"When I receive a call and, if Hearts' plans are interesting, then I will be ready to get involved with Mr Romanov and speak about planning for next season.

"That would give me the time I need to improve my command of English and learn more about the football in Scotland. In January I called and spoke with Julija. Because Mr Romanov does not speak English my contact is with her. It was a normal conversation, 'how are you?' things like that, but nobody spoke about me coming to Hearts. I haven't heard from Hearts since then.

"I would be very happy to be a manager in Scotland. It is a very interesting opportunity. I would even be interested in being the director of football if we could discuss it."

Meanwhile, it is thought that Edinburgh-born Souness has already spoken with Romanov about becoming the successor to Rix. He has been unemployed since being sacked by Newcastle in February and would be in the high-profile category desired by Romanov to lead Hearts.

"I'm told Hearts and Souness have had talks but how far they've gone is unclear at the moment," said a source.

Dave Jones, the Cardiff City manager, is also understood to be interested, whilst other candidates like Lothar Matthäus and Craig Levein would appear to be outside bets.

Rix departed Tynecastle for the final time yesterday after little over four months as Hearts head coach, during which he won nine of his 19 matches in charge.

Director of football Jim Duffy was also relieved of his duties during morning meetings with chairman Roman Romanov at Riccarton.

Rix had hoped to see out his contract, which expired in the summer, by leading Hearts into the Champions League and winning the Scottish Cup.

A source close to the Englishman said: "He's gutted. Absolutely devastated. He's disappointed, not only for himself but for the players because they don't need this."

Rix has been asked to sign a confidentiality agreement by the Romanovs, although it is believed he will hold off on doing so until the remainder of his contract, thought to be around £35,000, has been paid up.

He had his signings criticised by Romanov snr and was instructed not to play Julien Brellier in Sunday's match with Rangers, in which the French midfielder did play and was voted man of the match.

As the Hearts players now prepare for a trip to Falkirk on Saturday, coach John McGlynn has revealed they are understandably keen to let football to the talking. "The players are just keen to get back out on the park and play some football because we must remember that there is still a lot to play for," said McGlynn.

"As for team news, Deividas Cesnauskis is till struggling with a dead leg but we're hoping that he'll be able to train tomorrow. Takis Fyssas has also had a bug this week but hopefully he will also be able to join in the training tomorrow

Taken from the Scotsman