VALDAS WANTS BETTER PLAYERS

Hearts interim head coach Valdas Ivanauskas has urged majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov to add more quality to the squad to ensure qualification for the lucrative Champions League group stages.

The Tynecastle side sealed second place in the Bank of Scotland Premier League and a berth in the qualifying rounds of the European Cup with a 1-0 win over Aberdeen on Wednesday.

Romanov has invested heavily in the revolution at Tynecastle this season, which will also include the Tennent's Scottish Cup final against Gretna at Hampden Park next weekend.

But Ivanauskas believes the Jambos still need to make further additions if they are to play among the European elite beyond the qualifying rounds.

He said: "The Champions League is another level, we have quality players, but we need more for these games.

"We know they will be very hard games and very important games, we have a quality squad and are looking forward to it.

"I think these are the best players I have worked with in my career.

"We have Paul Hartley, Steven Pressley, Andy Webster, Craig Gordon, Rudi Skacel and Edgaras Jankauskas.

"The Scottish players I have mentioned have been big ones for us.

"They are our leaders on the pitch and off it, they are very good.

"I can believe how far the club have come in the last year.

"Nine months is a long season but we have worked very hard for this day.

"The players think about success from the very start of the season and have worked very hard.

"I am very happy for the players and I am happy for the club for the achievements."

Hearts travel to Ibrox on Sunday to face Rangers in a game which has been rendered meaningless after the midweek win over the Dons.

The Tynecastle side also have one eye on next week's Scottish Cup final and Ivanauskas is planning to make several changes to his team at the weekend.

He added: "We have had two very hard games and I think there will be many players rested.

"I will rest players but I don't know which ones as yet.

"The pressure is off, but we know Rangers are very 'angry'.

"Rangers have good supporters and did well in the Champions League but this season is our season.

"It is their last home game and won't be easy - but it will be very interesting."

Taken from sportinglife.com