VALDAS: IT'S ALL ABOUT THE TEAM... NOT MY JOB

HEARTS head coach Valdas Ivanauskas insists his managerial future will not be determined by the Jambos failure to qualify for the UEFA Cup group stage.

Ivanauskas believes Hearts making a mark on the UEFA Cup and enhancing their reputation in Europe is more important than his future.

But after failing to make it into the Champions League, the Jambos face the prospect of dropping out of two European tournaments in the space of two months.

Ivanauskas said: "Hearts are still in Europe and in the UEFA cup.

"We wanted the Champions League but it didn't happen and now we have to switch our focus.

"My only concern is for Hearts, not my position. I want to invest all my energies in the team and go to the group stage."

Ivanuskas knows Hearts will have to be disciplined against Sparta Prague because their Champions League hopes went up in smoke after Bruno Aguiar, Julien Brellier and Neil McCann were red-carded over two legs against AEK Athens.

But he refused to accept that Hearts have a problem with disciplie, despite the fact another player, Roman Bednar, was sent off at the weekend after the defeat by St Mirren.

Ivanauskas said: "It is important that the players are clever. I need 11 players on the pitch at all times and I have to remind the guys of that. If we keep 11 players on and fight hard we have the opportunity to win. Every referee is different, especially in Europe so we have to keep our shape, discipline and our cool. Those rules do not just apply to European games but also SPL games."

But Ivanauskas refused to be drawn on club owner Vladimir Romanov's latest outburst against referee Yuri Baskakov who officiated at the AEK Athens match. The coach said: "It is Mr Romanov's statement. I do not want to comment and distract myself or my players from such an important game."

Deividas Cesnauskis and Bruno Aguiar are back in contention but Andrew Driver and Edgaras Jankauskas are out injured.

Ivanuskas hinted he may hand Bosnian international Mirsad Beslija a surprise start.

Beslija has endured a nightmare since becoming the club's record £850,000 signing from Racing Genk in January.

Ivanauskas said: "Hearts need experienced players for European matches. Mirsad has to prove he is a key player for Hearts and he can only do that on the field."

Taken from the Daily Record