IVANAUSKAS ADMITS AHN IS A TARGET

New Hearts head coach Valdas Ivanauskas has confirmed his interest in bringing South Korea striker Ahn Jung-Hwan to Tynecastle next season.

Reports from the player's agent on Sunday suggested Ahn could be Gorgie-bound this summer and Ivanauskas has revealed his admiration for the player.

Hearts owner Vladimir 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.

Ahn grabbed South Korea's winner in their recent World Cup group clash with Togo and is a player who would also offer commercial opportunities to Hearts, such is his profile in the Far East.

Ivanauskas said: "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 of 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 have communicated to Mr Romanov what positions need filled and I hope in the next few weeks there will be new faces."

Ivanauskas was appointed Hearts coach on a permanent basis on Friday despite the club being linked with a host of high-profile candidates over the summer.

But the Lithuanian coach always felt he had a chance of being handed the job such is his relationship with Romanov and the fact he helped win the club the Scottish Cup and book a Champions League place next season.

Now Ivanauskas is hopeful stability will return to Hearts.

He added: "After the last match, the cup final, I felt I could take up this position. There was speculation and obviously the position is going to be hard.

"But it's very comforting that Mr Romanov is of the opinion and trust that I can take up this position. I've been discussing things with Vladimir and he clearly has trust in me and this feels good.

"It is very good that some sort of stability has been brought to the team and we now need to keep trying to achieve.

"Next season will be an interesting one but not an easy one. But I think we saw changes in the way we played at the end of last season and hopefully we can continue our form."

Taken from sportinglife.com