Valdas flies home in the dark over job

VALDAS IVANAUSKAS will jet back to Lithuania this evening still no clearer on whether he will be leading Hearts next season.

The 39-year-old is the leading candidate to be appointed as permanent head coach at Tynecastle by majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov, with his case reinforced by guiding the club to a penalty shoot-out victory over Gretna in Saturday's Scottish Cup final as well as a place in the Champions League qualifying rounds.

Preston manager Billy Davies has been linked with the position as Hearts supporters clamour for Ivanauskas to be installed full-time. With a flight home booked and no indication from Romanov on his long-term intentions, Ivanauskas admits he is totally in the dark over his future.

"Maybe tomorrow or Wednesday we will have a discussion about my situation, but I don't know what is happening," he said. "I am waiting, but tonight I fly to Lithuania. We need to have a discussion about the future.

"I am very happy working with this club and these players. I am ready for the future and this challenge but it is down to Mr Romanov. I know which day we are starting pre-season, but I don't know who will be the manager."

With Romanov understood to be lining up a minimum of three new players to supplement the Hearts squad, Ivanauskas revealed his belief that the side will need strengthened.

He added: "The Champions League is another level. We have a quality squad with good players already but I think we need two or three new faces. If I stay as head coach, I will be helping to pick them. It was fantastic for me to see all the love for Hearts from the people at yesterday's parade. I have really enjoyed this season and now I will go on holiday. I don't know my situation but maybe I will soon."

Ivanauskas is guaranteed to retain a place on the Hearts coaching staff even if a new head coach is appointed, with both Vladimir and Roman Romanov declaring him as essential for next season's plans.

Meanwhile, the Romanovs can expect to secure over £500,000 profit from the sale of Rudi Skacel, probably to Southampton, in the coming weeks. Fulham have emerged as late contenders for the Czech's signature after dispatching chief scout Ewan Chester to Hampden to watch the Czech score in Saturday's Cup final.

Reports of Hearts' attempts to lure the Chelsea striker, Eidur Gudjohnsen, to Edinburgh on loan are premature, however. The player's agent and father, Arnor, told the Evening News that his £60,000-a-week son has no interest in playing in Scotland.

"We have had no indication of an interest from Hearts and I don't think Scotland would be somewhere Eidur would consider," he said.

Full-back Takis Fyssas has been included in the Greek squad for their end-of-season friendly with Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday, May 25.

Taken from the Scotsman