Romanov to retain Ivanauskas

HEARTS chairman Roman Romanov has indicated that interim head coach Valdas Ivanauskas will be offered the job on a permanent basis.

The Lithuanian has guided the team to six victories in eight games to guarantee a top-two finish and a meeting to discuss his future is scheduled for next week. Barring an upset in the Scottish Cup final against Gretna on Saturday, he will be asked to remain in the position for the new campaign.

"I think, definitely," said Romanov when asked if Ivanauskas would be at the helm for pre-season. "I talk to the captain and many players and most of the players like Valdas. They seem to respect him very much. He is not just a person who works for himself, I think he works for the club and the players. He is very emotional some times but maybe it carries over to the players, his emotion and his passion.

"Coaches are under a lot of pressure and a lot of them don't make the right decisions under pressure. If the coach can take this pressure he will stay."

Ivanauskas said he would welcome the appointment "but the last word is not mine".

Taken from the Scotsman