VALDAS OUT TO GIVE HIS HERO HEARTS SCARE

HEARTS boss Valdas Ivanauskas wants to dent the reputation of one of the coaches he admires most in football.

Ivanauskas reckons Rangers pulled off a remarkable coup on behalf of the Scottish game when they lured Paul Le Guen to Ibrox after three glory-laden years at Lyon.

However, Le Guen's Rangers Revolution has yet to gather momentum and storm the SPL after only one win and two draws from their opening three fixtures.

It is a sign of the changing times in Scottish football that Hearts were booed off the pitch at Tynecastle last week after a goalless draw against Falkirk, even though they moved to the top of the table.

It's a position Ivanauskas is determined to retain this afternoon as the Jambos, who could be boosted by the return of Paul Hartley, bid to provoke further grumbles of discontent - this time in Govan.

Ivanauskas said: "I have not had the opportunity to meet Le Guen before but I have enormous respect for him after his time at Lyon.

"Everyone has coaches they admire in the game and Le Guen has skills I respect very much.

"I don't know if this is the right time to meet Rangers or not. We will know that answer after the game.

"However, like any other manager of any other team, he needs time to work out the tactics and vision for his team.

"I know our fans were unhappy last week. They expect us to win and so do we. But it was a hard game."

Hartley's return from a groin injury is a boost to the Jambos, not just with Rangers in mind, but also ahead of their Champions League qualifier against AEK Athens next week.

Hartley played 45 minutes of a closed-door friendly against Gretna on Tuesday and will be joined in the Jambos squad by new boy Marius Zaliukas.

Ivanauskas added: "It will be difficult for Paul to play 90 minutes against Rangers, but he's in the squad."

Zaliukas is the fifth Lithuanian to sign for Hearts, with another two being lined up before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

However, Ivanauskas has denied he's turning Tynecastle into a fiefdom of Vladimir Romanov's countrymen. The Jambos coach said: "The question obviously arises when a number of players arrive from one country or another - last season it was because of the number of Czechs.

"I know the mentality of Lithuanian players and they can work really well together with the Scots.

"Hearts are a special team and we have a lot of quality Scottish players in our side with lots of character and the Lithuanians add to that.

"I know the mentality of Lithuanians and Russians and the old socialist system because I grew up with it.

"I'm not saying that mentality is better or worse than any other country but it's about understanding it and finding things that are beneficial for the club and I believe we can do that here."

Zaliukas, 20, played as a trialist for Hearts last month against Osasuna and admits he's glad he's joined the club from FBK Kaunas.

He said: "I was nervous about playing that game and wanted to return because this is my big chance.

"I hope to do enough to win a place in this Hearts team and perform well and make an impact."

Ivanauskas revealed talks are ongoing with Julien Brellier after he knocked back a new contract offer a fortnight ago, as revealed by Record Sport.

Ivanauskas said: "Julien was an important player last season and the months ahead will show what is to come."

Ivanauskas has also dismissed criticism from former midfielder Lee Johnson, who labelled him "Romanov's puppet".

The coach said: "Players leave for different reasons and depart with different reactions. We wish him all the best with his new club."

Taken from the Daily Record