YOU COST US THE LEAGUE BRINES

VALDAS IVANAUSKAS has told top referee Iain Brines he cost Hearts the SPL title.

Now he has called on fellow whistler Dougie McDonald not to make the same mistake again as the Jambos bid to stay on course for the Champions League.

Celtic plan to throw a party at Parkhead tonight with a victory over their closest rivals that would hand them their first championship under Gordon Strachan.

But Hearts stand-in boss Ivanauskas wants revenge because he is still smarting from the 3-2 defeat to Celtic on Ne'erday he reckons ended the Tynecastle side's title hopes.

The Lithuanian stopped short of claiming Scottish refs always favour the Old Firm but hinted the big two benefit most from their decisions, echoing earlier claims from club owner Vladimir Romanov. The Hoops came from behind on January 1 with two goals in the closing minutes from Stephen McManus after Takis Fyssas was red-carded for a foul on Shaun Maloney.

Ivanauskas re-opened the debate on one of the most controversial games of the season, which led to Romanov making fruitless appeals to have the match replayed.

Ivanauskas said: "The red card given to Takis was nothing. The same foul by Bobo Balde on Deividas Cesnauskis earlier in the game should have resulted in the same red card. Referees can be good or bad but they're doing a job and everyone makes mistakes.

"They don't make extra mistakes against Hearts but when I remember Balde against Cesnauskis and the foul of Takis then, for me, the decision was a joke.

"We'd still be challenging for the title if we'd won that match. It was a big opportunity on January 1 but it affected us psychologically.

"I have a big respect for referees, they do an important job, but - and it always comes back to this one word, 'but'...

"He is an important guy on the pitch and when he makes mistakes and learns from them it's okay but there's big pressure on referees between now and the end of the season.

"This is an important time for coaches, players, clubs and also referees. Every mistake at this time of the seasons can come with a big cost.

"We need a good referee at Parkhead because there will be 59,000 Celtic fans there. He needs to be experienced and he needs to be good."

Ivanauskas paid tribute to champions-elect Celtic. But he is desperate to see Hearts spoil the party and extend their lead over Rangers to six points again. He said: "I know it would be nice for the Celtic supporters if they can celebrate and if they are a better side than us and win the match I'll shake Gordon's hand and congratulate him on his achievement.

"But we want to win this game and we will fight for 90 minutes to achieve our goal."

Hearts are without skipper Steven Pressley and fellow defender Jose Goncalves, who both have head injuries.

Takis Fyssas is set to start at left-back with Christophe Berra alongside Andy Webster in the centre of defence.

Taken from the Daily Record