BAD BOY BRELLIER BOMBED

EURO sinner Julian Brellier's Hearts future was thrown into doubt last night when he was bombed from the squad that saw off Inverness 4-1.

The Frenchman was sent off after 30 minutes of their Champions League defeat to AEK Athens for two bookings - one of which for wearing an ear-ring.

Yesterday he didn't feature in a Hearts 18 already wrecked by injury and suspension and boss Valdas Ivanauskas fuelled the fire by refusing to deny the midfielder had been axed.

Asked if all the players missing - except the banned Robbie Neilson â€" were injured he said: "We had players injured and a lot of player rested."

He repeated this when asked to clarify who was rested.

When asked if that meant Brellier specifically was rested, he snapped it out for a THIRD time with a glare.

His refusal to clear up the midfielder's position raises big question marks over the 24-year-old's future with the club.

The fans' favourite has fallen foul of owner Vladimir Romanov almost since he was signed by George Burley.

And he'll be less than happy at being made the fall guy for their Euro exit.

Meanwhile, Ivanauskas admits yesterday's win that puts them level on points at the top with Celtic was crucial after such a crushing midweek blow.

He said: "It was a great result after such a hard week against Rangers and then AEK Athens.

"We've had problems with injuries but this score was important."

Taken from the Sunday Mail