End for Webster and Skacel if they fail to show, says coach

VALDAS Ivanauskas, the new Hearts head coach, last night claimed the Tynecastle careers of Andy Webster and Rudi Skacel will be over if they fail to join the squad at the airport to fly to Austria this morning.

Speaking for the first time since being handed the coaching reins on a permanent basis, Ivanauskas warned the rebel pair there will be no way back at the club if they are not on the early morning flight from Edinburgh for their three-game pre-season tour.

Webster, the Scotland international defender, refused to sign a contract extension and has not played for the club since 5 April as a result of the stand-off with owner Vladimir Romanov. With the 24-year-old taking advantage of new FIFA regulations to hand in his notice last month, the Old Firm, George Burley's Southampton and a number of top Premiership and European clubs are believed to be interested in him.

Skacel, meanwhile, the popular left-sided Czech midfielder, is under contract at Hearts after the club took up an option to keep him after his season-long loan deal from Marseille.

But the 26-year-old has shown his desire to play in England, with Southampton again interested, and is threatening to walk out of the club.

Ivanauskas said: "In regards to Andy and Rudi, I'm expecting them this morning at the airport to go together to Austria. For the moment, it's not decided whether they are going to leave the club or not, but they were an integral part of the team last season and are very important players.

"With these players having such qualities, every coach would like to keep them in the team.

"If they go, we will have to [replace] them with other good players and we will say 'thank you and goodbye.' Their football careers will not be over [if they don't show today], but their careers at Hearts presumably would be."

Ivanauskas is set to add up to four new faces this summer if the pair do move on and he confirmed South Korean striker Ahn Jung-Hwan is a transfer target.

Romanov is said to be ready to meet the £500,000 release clause for the highly rated forward, currently under contract at German outfit MSV Duisburg.

Ivanauskas added: "The club has been interested in the player and the future will show. He is a good player but there are others in vision, three or four, and it's not only about the player's qualities. It's also about him fitting into a Scottish club and the squad.

"Ahn is one of the candidates for a position, but is one of several candidates. I hope in the next few weeks there will be new faces."

The Lithuanian coach, still to confirm the final details of his contract when he returns from Austria, also assured players and fans that he will have the final say on team selection next season.

Despite Hearts finishing second in the SPL last term to seal a Champions League spot and win the Scottish Cup, Romanov was often thought to be meddling in team affairs.

Ivanauskas said: "I'm in the position of head coach. There will be discussions about new players [with Romanov] but, similarly to last season, the last decision is going to be made by me. If Vladimir showed trust by giving me this position, then he obviously trusts me to decide finally who to play."

Ivanauskas also confirmed French midfielder Julien Brellier will be staying put at Hearts. "He is a very important player," he concluded.

Taken from the Scotsman