BRELLIER UNCERTAIN OVER HEARTS FUTURE

By Chris Roberts, PA Sport

Hearts midfielder Julien Brellier admits he is in the dark as to whether Vladimir Romanov wants him in the team.

The Frenchman helped the Edinburgh side secure victory at the Falkirk Stadium to stay six points clear of Rangers in the hunt for second place in the Bank of Scotland Premier League and Champions League.

But Brellier's name on the teamsheet was a surprise to many as rumours persist the majority shareholder does not want him.

Interim manager Valdas Ivanauskas is seen as the ruthless Lithuanian's puppet but the 24-year-old has vowed to keep letting his feet do the talking to keep his place in the starting 11.

"I wonder whether he doesn't want me in the team," said Brellier.

"It's not very nice to hear people say that he (Romanov) doesn't like me.

"But I said before George Burley left that I am just a footballer and I just want to concentrate on the game on a Saturday.

"Finishing the season with some success is the most important thing and hopefully we can do that.

"I was happy to start this game and I want to play every game."

But Hearts could be without skipper Steven Pressley for next Sunday's Tennent's Scottish Cup semi-final with Hibernian.

The inspirational defender failed to show for the second half after having three stitches inserted in a head wound.

Ivanauskas fears the Scotland international will not be ready for the Hampden Park showdown with their city rivals.

But Brellier insisted: "He is a very strong man and I expect him to be ready for that game."

Edgaras Jankauskas scored a fortunate 81st-minute winner for Hearts after Alan Gow had cancelled out Paul Hartley's opener.

The former Inter player believes the three points were vital as a slip in would have let in Rangers.

Brellier added: "This was a very hard game so it was a very important three points.

"It was a very difficult game for both teams because of the pitch so we are very happy about the result.

"The referee gave too many yellow cards but had we dropped some points, it would have been very difficult to hold off Rangers."

But team-mate Rudi Skacel was at the centre of a storm after claims he had been shouting his mouth off at the Falkirk players.

Bairns defender Jack Ross also revealed he had to have words with the Czech forward over his diving.

He said: "I asked him why he kept going down so easily.

"I've seen pictures of him and he is well built and a strong boy so I asked him why he can't stand up against strong players.

"I don't think he understood me but that's a different kind of football.

"Perhaps the longer they stay in the British game the better they will become.

"You have seen players coming to this country and to England and getting a reputation for themselves."

Falkirk hope Livingston do not pull off a shock against Celtic today and reduce the gap at the bottom of the table to six points.

Taken from sportinglife.com