Ivanauskas admits to Romanov go-between role

VALDAS Ivanauskas, the Lithuanian who took over as Hearts interim coach this week from the deposed Graham Rix, did not refute the suggestion yesterday that he's been the eyes and ears of Vladimir Romanov on the training pitch throughout the season.

Asked if a key aspect of his role as a member of the coaching team since Hearts went to Ireland for pre-season training last summer involved communicating with the club's owner, he said: "Communication is necessary in every profession, particularly football. If there is no communication, there will be no football. Communication is good. I don't see any problem with that."

Ivanauskas previously managed another of Romanov's clubs, Kaunas, for a short spell, winning the league and cup double in one season, before losing a few games the next and getting the sack. "The results weren't good enough and I had to leave," he recalled.

"But I'm a professional coach and I've been given another chance here. Vladimir is a kind of perfectionist and he wants Hearts to become a huge club."

There has been speculation Romanov, who will attend today's game at Falkirk, was displeased by the continuing presence of Julien Brellier in the side - a theory which, if true, suggests the Lithuanian doesn't know a player when he sees one. Ivanauskas was asked if the French midfield player would keep his place. The coach would only say Brellier was part of the squad.

He also indicated the influx of new players brought to the club in January were now better attuned to the demands of the Scottish game and most were available for selection. Only Neil McCann is out through injury and the coach should be able to make his first selection from a full complement.

Having played in Lithuania, Russia, Germany and Austria, Ivanauskas has plenty of experience of different football cultures. One problem Hearts have faced this season is struggling to play at a high tempo for 90 minutes.

Ivanauskas thinks the players should rely on their heads rather than their legs. "Good players are able to control their game and can be clever about how they play," he said. "This is important for them to be able to play the full game."

Taken from the Scotsman