EXCLUSIVE: I'M NOT VLAD'S PUPPET

Exclusive
By Gary Ralston

STAND-IN Hearts boss Valdas Ivanauskas last night insisted that he won't be a yes man for Vladimir Romanov.

Ivanauskas, left, refused to rule out taking advice on team selection from the Tynecastle chief.

But he still insisted he will have the final word on who plays for Hearts.

Ivanauskas, 39, took charge of his first training session yesterday following the shock dismissal of Graham Rix and Jim Duffy. He will lead the team for the first time at Falkirk tomorrow as the Jambos bid to stay on course for the Champions League next season.

Ivanauskas, a former coach at FBK Kaunas, is adamant he will not be a yes man for Romanov.

He said: "I will take best advice from anyone that can provide it. However, the last word will always be mine."

Former Soviet Union striker Ivanauskas, who will be in charge at least until the end of the season, added: "I was a hard worker as a player and I will be a hard worker as coach.

"To become head coach I think, realistically, I would have to get second place and win the Scottish Cup.

"It is a stressful job and I would like it.

"I believe I have the right qualities for the job, it is a hard situation but that is nice for me."

Taken from the Daily Record