Relax - if you want the Cup

DEEP in the bowels of Hampden yesterday there was an air of tranquility as the managers met the media to discuss their views on the Scottish Cup final.

Both Valdas Ivanauskas and Rowan Alexander, though, were mindful of the bedlam that would ensue just 24 hours later. The prospect didn't appear to perturb them in any way, as Alexander arrived first to a comment that Gretna's status as a club with some distance to go to reach the SPL was betrayed by his punctuality.

The inferrence, of course, was that the concept of timekeeping is alien to most footballers who try to discourage the glare of publicity.

However, Gretna have lapped up every inch of exposure granted them this week so, in keeping with his players, Alexander was right on the button to offer his thoughts.

"I'm quite surprised that I've been so relaxed," he said.

"The players are relaxed too. As you know, the pressure's not on us, it's all on Hearts." He was quite correct in his assessment - circumstances will never be any different when a club from the top tier confronts one from two divisions below in the final of a national cup competition. For the purpose of keeping his own house in order, Ivanauskas was right to dismiss such a notion, though.

"It is very clever of him to say that," smirked the Lithuanian.

"We are the favourites and you would expect that because we have a Champions League place but we know how we can play. Securing second place in the SPL released a lot of pressure on myself and the players."

That much was evident from Ivanauskas' poise yesterday. For a man reared on the battle-hardened fields of the Bundesliga, and who is more of a disciplinarian than Don Corleone, Hearts' interim head coach was as reposed as he could be when preparing for a major cup final.

"It has been hard since the split but look at the support we had at the semi-final," he went on. "They are wonderful. I have been in the stand with them for our last two matches. I found that difficult against Aberdeen because of the pressure but at Rangers it was a very good day. Their stadium is nice."

Was that Ivanauskas cracking jokes? Just a day before a cup final? It's hard to comprehend but his mellow approach seems to have served him well as he reported his squad as being composed and ready after watching a video of the club's last trophy success, the Scottish Cup victory over Rangers in 1998.

Any Hearts supporters who caught last night's edition of the Evening News may have allowed themselves a wry smile at the antics of striker Roman Bednar, who has dyed his Mohican-styled hair maroon for the occasion.

"I think Roman changes his hair every week," said Ivanauskas. "I don't know if it is special for the Cup or not but, come kick-off, he could have another hairstyle." Clearly Hearts won't be getting themselves overly worked up about this Gretna lot, and whilst being correct in recognising their status as favourites, Ivanauskas will also take the time to remind his charges of the hazards of complacency at Hampden.

Over in the black-and-white corner, Alexander gave no hint of an inferiority complex as he analysed the threat of Hearts, his own side's capabilities, and the progress made by Gretna under the control of millionaire Brooks Mileson.

Looking utterly professional in his suit and presenting himself and his club as an ambitious and innovative outfit, it was clear from Alexander's words that there are a few folk harbouring some extremely big ideas down in the Dumfries-shire town.

"We are progressing as we go along and things are increasing at a rapid pace but I think if we were to win the Cup it might kill Brooks," he joked. "Having seen him after the semi-final I don't think he would know what to do or where to put himself if we managed to pull off a shock.

"I'm quite focused on what I want us to do. The quarter-final for us was the most nervous I have felt in a cup competition and, from then on, even in the semi-final, I've been very relaxed and very composed. It won't sink in properly till we arrive at the stadium and see the support.

"We are under no illusions. If Hearts play to their potential then it will be very difficult for us to cope but I expect it to be a pretty physical game simply because of the player that are on both sides. If we win, it will be the greatest cup shock of all time, so the incentive is there."

With confidence seemingly no issue for Alexander, the mind begins to drift to Gretna's imminent UEFA Cup campaign and what it might herald for a club awaiting promotion to the First Division. Raydale, their 3000-capacity home, has already been deemed insufficient to host teams from the Continent, so instead the players will make the pilgrimage to Motherwell for their European nights.

"Any manager wants to take his team as far as he possibly can," said Alexander. "We want to improve, we want to recruit better players, and with us being in Europe it is a tremendous carrot for attracting even better quality to take us to that next level. The club's development will continue, but it will take our best-ever performance to win the cup."

A summer of heavy investment is likely to mean that, for many of Gretna's players, the Scottish Cup final will be their last match together.

But Hearts are also anticipating change as they contemplate the more prestigious Champions League.

"In Britain the Cup is special, but it is in our own hands and the players recognise they have a big chance," said Ivanauskas.

"They have secured the Champions League place and now they know what is required against Gretna."

The Lithuanian has still to be confirmed as the club's permanent head coach. Winning the cup on the back of unprecedented Champions League qualification would be enough, you might think, to persuade his employer, Vladimir Romanov. But Ivanauskas is acutely aware of the ruthless drive harboured by the majority shareholder.

"I like this job but, after the summer, I don't know. I am ready but I know Mr Romanov. It is his discretion. If he wants me to stay, I will stay. If he wants me to go, I will go."

The prospect of Ivanauskas exiting the club altogether seems almost unthinkable. As does a Gretna victory at Hampden. Stranger things have happened, but the general consensus is that Ivanauskas can expect a thoroughly relaxing summer.

Taken from the Scotsman