Talks stall as Hearts look at new candidates

HEARTS' talks with former Rangers midfielder Alexei Mikhailichenko over the position of director of football have stalled, with the Tynecastle club now linked with Kaunas coach Eduard Malofeev.

Discussions have taken place with Mikhailichenko, along with former Ibrox defender Oleg Kuznetsov who was identified as Mikhaili-chenko's right-hand man in a new coaching structure.

However, sources close to Mikhailichenko insist the talks, which were thought to have been put on hold because of Ukraine's continued involvement in the World Cup, are now in limbo, only days after it was expected an announcement by the Tynecastle outfit was imminent.

The Ukraine under-21 national team coach is currently with the senior squad at the World Cup in Germany, preparing for Friday's quarter-final match with Italy.

Romanov, who refused to comment on the state of talks with Mikhailichenko, is now expected to consider moves for alternatives in Lithuania. The 64-year-old Malofeev is one of the guests Romanov is currently entertaining on a yacht off the south coast of France.

Malofeev is a trusted confidante of Romanov, having worked for him at MTZ Ripo in Belarus and now at Kaunas in Lithuania.

Meanwhile, former Hearts midfielder Colin Cameron is expected to leave Wolverhampton Wanderers this week to sign for Coventry City.

"I've wanted a two-year deal and I'm confident we can come to an agreement," said Cameron.

The 33-year-old made over 200 appearances for Wolves after signing from Hearts five years ago for £1.75 million. He had a spell on loan at Millwall last season.

Taken from the Scotsman