Valdas issues job warning

VALDAS IVANAUSKAS today warned Hearts that other clubs are hot on his tail if he is demoted in favour of Alexei Mikhailichenko at Tynecastle.

Ivanauskas is aware of interest by Vladimir Romanov in former Rangers midfielder Mikhailichenko, with Hearts' majority shareholder having met with representatives of the Ukrainian to discuss the vacant head coach's role.

However Ivanauskas, currently interim head coach at Hearts, has spent much of his summer thus far fielding probing calls from continental clubs, most notably German ones, who covet his services after watching him guide Hearts to the Tennent's Scottish Cup and a place in the Champions League qualifying rounds.

Romanov will hold a definitive meeting with Ivanauskas on Monday to inform him of his position for next season. An overwhelming 98 per cent of Hearts fans voted for the former Hamburg player to be appointed permanently in a recent Evening News poll, and although he is keen to remain at Hearts he significantly admits to having several "other options".

"I have calls coming in from other countries now," said Ivanauskas. " My priority is Hearts but I have clubs from Germany on the phone that are interesting me. I return to Lithuania on Sunday evening and will have a last meeting with Mr Romanov on Monday morning. Then I will know more. "I know Mr Romanov has interest in Mikhailichenko but from what I know it is not 100 per cent. Mr Romanov is still waiting and we will know on Monday. I think I will still stay at Hearts but whether I am assistant coach or another coach I don't know."

Mikhailichenko's coaching reputation blossomed when he assumed control of Dynamo Kiev in 2002 after the death of the legendary Ukrainian coach Valeri Lobanovsky. Recently he has been in charge of Ukraine's Under-21 side, leading them to the final of the European Championships.

"Mikhailichenko was a very good player," admitted Ivanauskas. "He played for Rangers, he played in Italy, and he had big results with Dynamo Kiev after Mr Lobanovsky died."

Mikhailichenko today refused to comment on discussions with Hearts, saying only: "I don't want to make any comment on this subject."

Taken from the Scotsman