VALDAS: MOGGA WILL WOW ENGLISH

HEARTS boss Valdas Ivanauskas last night revealed himself as a Tony Mowbray fan and insisted his former rival would be a big hit in England.

The Lithuanian admitted he admired Mowbray's managerial style at Hibs.

Ivanauskas said: "Tony is a very good manager. He is very ambitious and was very positive for Hibs over the past two seasons. He did well to sign up all his young players on decent contracts.

"Hibs were good for Tony but he was very good for them.

"I wish him good luck at West Brom and believe he will do very well in England because he is a good and confident manager and a highly-respected coach."

Ivanauskas does not believe Mowbray's shock exit will influence the result of tomorrow's Edinburgh derby in which Hearts will bid to end an Easter Road hoodoo that stretches back four years.

He said: "I am looking to my team to be positive and to continue their rich vein of form.

"This is a derby that both sides really want to win and it is always a big occasion.

"It has been four years since we won at Easter Road and that is a long time but we are looking very positive and are ready."

All of Hearts' international stars returned fully fit from midweek action and Ivanauskas insisted he is close to selecting his ideal 11 which could spell bad news for Hibs.

The Jambos coach said: "I am very close now to fielding my strongest and best team.

"I have a lot of players and a big squad to choose from so I will have some big decisions to make after training on Saturday but I guess I cannot keep everyone happy.

"We also have players returning from injury and suspension and that means healthy competition for first-team places which can only be good news for Hearts.

"I have to speak with the players who were on international duty in midweek and assess how they are feeling.

"I need players who are 100 per cent fit and fresh both physically and mentally."

Ivanauskas pinpointed midfield as the key area in which the derby will be won and lost.

He said: "Hibs losing their manager could make them a very dangerous side and the game might be won and lost in midfield.

"They have a very energetic midfield and young players who are technically very good and have strong engines. That could be the vital area so far as winning and losing is concerned. But Hibs will have to look out for us because we are a good side."

Taken from the Daily Record