IVANAUSKAS: I'M NO PUPPET

By Ronnie Esplin, PA Sport

Hearts head coach Valdas Ivanauskas hit back at fresh allegations suggesting majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov is involved in team matters and retorted: "I'm no puppet."

Former Jambos midfielder Lee Johnson, in a parting shot after leaving Tynecastle to join Bristol City this week, claimed that Romanov was behind many of the team selections and substitutions at the Gorgie club.

Speculation of this nature has dogged Ivanauskas since he took over from Graham Rix towards the end of last season.

Rix and his predecessor, George Burley, also had to deal with rumours that the de facto owner of the club tried to directly influence team selections.

But an exasperated Ivanauskas, speaking ahead of the trip to play Rangers at Ibrox in the Bank of Scotland Premier League, was at pains to stress his autonomy at the Edinburgh club.

Asked directly if he was merely Romanov's puppet, Ivanauskas replied: "No, I am not a puppet."

When quizzed on Romanov's alleged involvement with team selection, Ivanauskas continued: "If you are in the stand or not at the game then there is no chance to pick the team or make changes.

"And it is not possible to take directions from the stand from Mr Romanov.

"Every decision is mine. I pick the team, it is my team.

"Every player is unhappy when they leave their club, it is not a new situation for me but Lee Johnson is just one player.

"But I'm the manager and I pick the team. I know what I do.

"Lee Johnson has left the club but he was here a very short time.

"Lee was a very professional player, football was his life and I wish him good luck at Bristol City."

Ivanauskas reiterated his own sense of independence and power at the Edinburgh club when introducing new signing Marius Zaliukas who arrived on loan from FBK Kaunas this week.

The Jambos boss said: "Marius was my signing.

"He is a young player and he has a big chance to play top football.

"He needs to adapt to Scottish football but he is strong and so he has a big, big future.

"He can play in a couple of positions but his best position is in midfield."

Zaliukas, who appeared somewhat perplexed at the line of questioning his new boss had to deal with, backed up Ivanauskas saying: "I never spoke to Mr Romanov (about signing for Hearts).

"Coming to Hearts is a big chance for me. It is a big step up."

Paul Hartley returns to the Jambos squad after recovering from a groin injury and Ivanauskas welcomed the Scotland midfielder back into the fold.

He said: "Paul is fit and that's good news.

"It will be hard to last 90 minutes but he is in the squad."

However, one player who seems to be on his way out of Tynecastle, temporarily at least, is teenage striker Calum Elliot who is set to go on loan next week with Dunfermline and Motherwell both reported to be interested.

The Jambos boss said: "Calum had a great season last season and he worked very hard in pre-season.

"But in my opinion, he needs regular games, it is very important for him.

"However, he is very young and he needs to find a team that is good for him so we will discuss it next week."

Taken from sportinglife.com