Lithu-mania

VLADIMIR ROMANOV is lining up yet another transfer invasion of Lithuania as he eyes young midfield prospect Andrius Bartkus.

Hearts have identified the 20-year-old as a possible signing target after securing Marius Zaliukas on loan from FBK Kaunas on Monday. Upon signing Zaliukas, head coach Valdas Ivanauskas admitted he had options to sign two other unidentified players.

The Evening News can reveal that those two players are Bartkus and the Benfica full-back Tiago Gomes. It is understood Bartkus could arrive before the August 31 signing deadline after recently leaving the Lithuanian club FK Atlantas.

Any deal would likely be done via the Romanov-sponsored Kaunas, allowing Bartkus to move on loan for Ivanauskas to assess his adaptability to the Scottish game.

"He is a young boy and has a good future. We have interest in him," said Ivanauskas. "He might come to Hearts but he will need to adapt to Scottish football. He is a central midfield player and we need options there. He can hold or go long and is strong with a good engine. He is young and needs experience for the big games."

It is understood Hearts are unlikely to re-ignite their interest in another of their recent Lithuanian trialists, the striker Andrius Velicka.

Meanwhile, Ivanauskas admitted Paul Hartley has a reasonable chance of being involved in Saturday's match with Rangers at Ibrox after coming through a bounce game with Gretna on Tuesday unscathed. "He hasn't suffered any reaction but we still have to wait to make a decision. He is tired and that is normal but the fact that there is no reaction is important. We will not play him if he is a risk but he does have a chance. It will be down to what the physios tell me."

Full-back Takis Fyssas caused a scare on international duty last night when he was withdrawn after just 29 minutes of Greece's 4-0 defeat by England at Old Trafford. The 33-year-old appeared to pull up as he confronted Gary Neville for the ball. He was instantly withdrawn by coach Otto Rehhagel and may now be doubtful for the trip to Glasgow.

Ivanauskas said: "Takis will come back today and our physios and doctors will look at him. Hopefully it's only been a precaution, like he's pulled something and gone off early."

Roman Bednar made his international debut in the Czech Republic's 3-1 home defeat by Serbia & Montenegro last night. The Hearts striker played for the final 20 minutes after replacing Marek Jankulovski.

Taken from the Scotsman