HEARTS today confirmed that former Scotland and Germany boss Berti Vogts has applied to be the next manager of the club.

Vogts quit his position as Scotland manager some 16 months ago after a disastrous spell in charge of the national side during which he failed to lead them to the finals of a single competition.
7 Wonders

His tenure also included a number of highly-embarrassing results and he was forced to walk away from his position after the Tartan Army finally lost patience at the lack of progress his team was making.

He is currently employed by the German Football Association co-ordinating the scouting of Germany's World Cup opponents but is understood to be seeking a more active role in the game when this summer's tournament is over.

Despite his ill-fated spell in charge of Scotland, Vogts, who will turn 60 later this year, has enjoyed a number of successes during his coaching career, the most notable being when he helped Germany to lift the European Championships in 1996.

However, it is highly unlikely that he would be welcomed at Tynecastle by the club's support with his credibility in this country still tarnished.

Charlie Mann, Vladimir Romanov's spokesperson, told the Evening News today: "Berti Vogts' agent approached me and asked me to put his name in front of Vladimir Romanov.

"That is all that has happened at the moment and it hasn't gone any further than that."

Current interim head coach Valdas Ivanauskas is still hoping to be in with a shout of landing the position on a full-time basis although it's understood that Romanov feels he is too inexperienced for the role.

Meanwhile, Hearts star Robbie Neilson believes tomorrow's trip to face Celtic in Glasgow is "an even bigger game" than the weekend's clash with Hibs as his side look to hold off Rangers in a fight for a Champions League place.

The Ibrox outfit have narrowed the gap with second placed Jambos to just three points although Alex McLeish's side have played one game more.

With trips to Ibrox and Easter Road still on the horizon after tomorrow's visit to Parkhead Neilson is well aware that his side would gain some much needed breathing space if they could take anything from the clash.

With captain Steven Pressley already ruled out for the encounter and Jose Goncalves also sidelined after his sickening injury at the weekend, the Jambos will be missing two influential players.

They will, however, be boosted by the return from suspension of French midfielder Julien Brellier and Czech striker Roman Bednar.

And with a potential £10million windfall to be gained through entry into the group stages of Europe's premier club competition, the stakes couldn't be higher.

"We need to concentrate on the league because the semi-final is gone now and we have some hard league games coming up," said Neilson, Hearts' longest serving player.

"I think this is an even bigger game than Sunday as we want to get in the Champions League.

"The big games are coming thick and fast for us at the moment but if you ask any player that is the way they like it.

"Tomorrow is another massive game for us but it's better than just playing out the season the way that some teams are left doing."

Celtic need just three points to clinch the SPL title tomorrow night so are sure to be going all out for the victory.

And, while conceding that Gordon Strachan's men will pose a formidable threat to his side's Champions League aspirations, Neilson believes he and his team-mates have every reason to travel west with confidence.

"We went there last season and won while, earlier in the season, we drew 1-1 when we probably should have won the game so we have every reason to think we can get a result," said the Scotland Future Squad member.

"We also ran them very close at New Year and played very well for long spells. I don't think anybody could have complained had we won that match so to lose was very disappointing.

"It's also a nice big park, much the same as Hampden, so hopefully we can exploit that the way we did in the cup on Sunday.

"The boys are absolutely buzzing after that win which is fantastic and we all want to make it into the Champions League. We'll see what happens after our game at Parkhead tomorrow."

• HEARTS' reserves are due to face their Celtic counterparts at Airdrie United's Shyberry Excelsior stadium this evening.

A number of the Jambos' January transfer signings who have been unable to force their way into the first team on a regular basis yet are expected to feature in the game.

The match kicks-off at 7pm.

Taken from the Scotsman