Ivanauskas welcomes capture of Karipidis

HEARTS landed in Mostar yesterday without the injured Edgaras Jankauskas but will confirm the signing of PAOK Salonika's Hristos Karipidis by the time they return. These were the respective bad and good bulletins from Bosnia-Herzegovina ahead of the Champions League qualifying second-leg tie with NK Siroki Brijeg at a lush Pecara stadium.

Whether the capture of the centre-half will strengthen the squad ahead of a Champions League third qualifier clash with AEK Athens remains to be seen, but should Hearts successfully defend their three-goal advantage from the first leg, Karipidis will be eligible to play at Murrayfield next week. "He is a good, young player and has a great future ahead of him," said head coach Valdas Ivanauskas last night. "Our centre-backs might have done well but we need options."

As one player looked set to arrive at Hearts another could make his swan-song in a maroon shirt this evening. Ivanauskas last night signalled the imminent end to Mirsad Beslija's short and uncelebrated Tynecastle career. However, he may yet feature this evening on his return to his homeland and on a pitch about which the head coach expressed some concern.

"The grass is very long - perhaps tomorrow they will cut it," said Ivanauskas. "But it's not my view that matters." His opinion is more valid when it comes to Beslija, and Ivanauskas could not hide his indifference whether the record-signing stays at Tynecastle or not. Lokeren and Brugge are both awaiting developments in the player's situation, but Beslija's former club, RC Genk, have still not received full payment from Hearts. The matter has been referred to FIFA and the SFA.

"Every player wants to play," said Ivanauskas. "He has an ambition to play in every game but he has had a small problem with injury. His fitness is not what he wants. He did well in pre-season training but last week picked up another small injury. If he can find a club then it is good for him and everybody. For me, he can stay if he wants. But we need the old Beslija, the one I knew from many years ago. We need to have a discussion."

Beslija might be given the opportunity to awaken his former self, with Ivanauskas confirming the winger will be on the bench at least. Ivanauskas may be tempted to select a side which, if not a shadow first-team, will include a selection of those previously reckoned to be squad members. Lee Wallace has travelled although his Scotland Under-19 team-mate Calum Elliot has stayed at home to recuperate after recent challenges in Poland. Ivanauskas promised nothing less than an attempt to win the game, likely to be played in a stifling heat.

More problems will follow the match. No flights have been given permission to take off from Mostar this evening due to expected wind conditions. Consequently the Hearts party will endure a three-hour bus journey to the Croatian port city of Dubrovnik after the game. From there they will catch the charter home, and arrive in Edinburgh, providing there are no delays, around 6am.

Hearts have an important SPL fixture with Celtic at Tynecastle on Sunday but Ivanauskas said: "I spoke to [Director of Football Operations] Campbell Ogilvie about it. We can rest on the coach. It's not a problem. It's better that we go back from my own point of view, and that of the players. Players always say they can't sleep after games so it's better that they sleep when they get back."

Taken from the Scotsman