I CAN STILL MIK A GO OF IT AT HEARTS

HEARTS manager Valdas Ivanauskas is set for showdown talks with Vladimir Romanov on Monday.

Ivanauskas wants to know if he still has a future at Tynecastle after the Jambos owner made a move for former Rangers star Alexei Mikhailichenko.

Representatives of Mikhailichenko and former Ibrox team-mate Oleg Kuznetsov have held discussions with Romanov over the position of head coach and deputy.

It's understood a two-year contract offer, with the option of a 12-month deal, has been tabled but not yet signed.

Mikhailichenko said: "I don't want to comment on this just now.

"I haven't signed anything with Hearts. Why are they calling me all the time from Scotland with the same question? Please leave me alone."

The former Dynamo Kiev midfielder is currently mulling over the offer in Germany, where he is part of Ukraine's backroom team at the World Cup finals.

The deal could be concluded next week but if he agrees to take the job Mikhailichenko is not expected to arrive at the club until his nation's World Cup fate is known.

Ivanauskas believes he still has a role to play at Tynecastle and is forging ahead with plans to return to Scotland on Tuesday for preseason training which begins the following day.

The 39-year-old is abroad on holiday but will return to Lithuania tomorrow before his talks with Romanov on Monday.

Ivanauskas said: "My number one priority is Hearts but many names have now been linked with the manager's job - not just Mikhailichenko but others guys too.

"I don't know my situation and nor do other coaches such as John McGlynn but hopefully it will become clearer on Monday when I meet Mr Romanov as he has the final word.

"I want to stay with Hearts because I like the club, the players and the fans and that's important.

"We put in a lot of work last season to win the Scottish Cup and qualify for the Champions League and I want to continue.

"If Mr Romanov says he is bringing in a new coach it's no problem for me as I can work as assistant.

"I'm still a young manager and it's a learning process. Last season was very difficult for everyone but it turned out well in the end and I'd like to continue.

"I think I will still stay at Hearts but whether I am assistant coach or another coach I don't know."

Ivanauskas is not worried about his future if Mikhailichenko arrives and decides to ditch him from his coaching staff.

He knows his stock has never been higher after steering the club through the final two months of the season after Graham Rix was axed as coach.

Former Hamburg striker Ivanauskas said: "I know agents, who are calling me about players for Hearts, are also saying my name is good, especially in Germany.

"My chances in coaching are bigger than before after helping the club to win the Scottish Cup and make the Champions League qualifiers."

Mikhailichenko spent five years at Rangers between 1991-96 after signing from then Serie A champs Sampdoria for £2.2million.

He returned home after his spell at Ibrox and his coaching reputation grew when he assumed control of Dynamo Kiev in 2002 after the death of Valeri Lobanovsky.

He has recently been coaching Ukraine's Under-21s and led them to the European Championship finals in Portugal earlier this month, where they lost 3-0 to Holland.

Romanov has refused to be drawn into discussing candidates for the head coaching position.

Sources close to Romanov say he could make an announcement next Friday, although others suggest that, all going well, it's likely to be the end of the month before Mikhailichenko is paraded.

Next Friday is when Hearts will find out their opponents for the Champions League qualifiers.

It is also the day of Ukraine's last game in the group section of the World Cup.

Taken from the Daily Record