HEARTS BOSS PLAYS DOWN RIFT TALK

Hearts head coach Valdas Ivanauskas has rejected suggestions his job is on the line after an alleged row with club owner Vladimir Romanov.

The two were said to have been involved in a "furious bust-up" in the wake of Wednesday's goalless draw with Bosnians Siroki Brijeg, which allowed the Tynecastle outfit to progress to next week's Champions League third qualifying round clash with Greeks AEK Athens after a 3-0 aggregate win.

Romanov, who last season sacked George Burley and Graham Rix during a turbulent campaign, has since voiced his concerns at what he saw as an unsatisfactory performance in Bosnia and the team's preparations for the season ahead.

However, speaking before a vital period which sees Hearts take on champions Celtic on Sunday and AEK at Murrayfield on Wednesday, Ivanauskas has denied claims of an argument with Romanov.

And, even though he has acknowledged his side put in a below-par performance in midweek, he has insisted the main thing was to progress to the final qualifying round.

He said: "I don't know what has been in the newspapers. After the game we went direct for our flight back. I didn't speak to Mr Romanov.

"Okay, the performance was not the best but the result very important and we got the result.

"For every game, even in pre-season, there is pressure, that is normal in every game. There is positive pressure on not just me but also the team.

"We are in the next round of the Champions League, we didn't lose a game in pre-season, and pressure is not new for me."

Ivanauskas has been handed one piece of good news ahead of the game against Celtic with the news that Portuguese trialist Tiago Costa was signed before Thursday's Champions League deadline.

The 21-year-old, who will provide competition to Robbie Neilson for the right-back spot, left Benfica at the end of his contract in the summer and has agreed a two-year deal.

Ivanauskas added: "Tiago Costa, who is a right-back and right midfielder, has signed. We saw Tiago in pre-season in Austria and he needs to adapt to Scottish football.

"But he has had very good moments in the games he has played and I like his playing style. He is a good option for us, his technique is good, he is quick and he is good going forward."

Taken from sportinglife.com