I KNOW MY DREAM TEAM

HEARTS manager Valdas Ivanauskas last night launched a staunch defence of his controversial rotation policy at Tynecastle.

The Lithuanian, has become the SPL's equivalent to Claudio Ranieri, the former Chelsea boss, and has already been dubbed the 'Tinkerman'.

But Ivanauskas insisted the unpopular first-team rotation system despised by the Tynecastle squad would remain for the foreseeable future - but he denied inconsistency in his team selection was hindering results.

Incredibly Hearts have made an amazing 55 first-team personnel changes in their last 10 games.

Ivanauskas insisted he will continue to rotate his first-team players - just as Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez and Chelsea head coach Jose Mourinho do in the Premiership - as long as he sees fit.

But he admitted he does have a dream Jambos XI in his head.

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Ivanauskas said: "When Hearts get a positive result each team rotation then has a positive impact and reaction on the players, the supporters and the club.

"Of course there should be a consistent squad and line-up that describes the picture of the team. Players naturally have a double opinion about the rotation system.

"Hearts have a lot of players that are returning to full fitness and they have to understand that the rotation system is a healthy competition for first-team places.

"All of them have to be fit and ready Monday to Friday and be in the right state of mind and shape both on and off the field.

"Hearts have very good quality players and there is not a lot of difference between them.

"I have strong opinions on team rotations and there are clubs, especially in England, using this system.

"I don't want to share my opinions right now but all being equal and every player being fit and well then I do have an ideal Hearts XI in my mind I want to play."

Hearts go into their clash with Kilmarnock at Tynecastle trailing Celtic by five points but Ivanauskas denied the Jambos needed help from others to catch the leaders.

He said: "Last weekend's results helped Celtic but maybe this week Hearts will benefit from such luck and good results.

"We do not need anybody's help to catch Celtic as Hearts need to help themselves in the title race."

Meanwhile, Robbie Neilson will clock up a personal milestone today when he celebrates 10 years at Hearts and could make his 200th appearance for the club against the Ayrshire side.

The defender, who received a commemorative silver quaich as a reward for his outstanding service, believes his decade at the club has been aided by loan periods out with Gorgie.

Neilson was at Cowden beath in 1999 and Queen of the South in 2002 before breaking into the first team under Craig Levein.

The defender, who made his international debut this month against Ukraine and became the 100th Hearts player to feature for Scotland, said: "I was quite happy to go on loan but I've always wanted to stay at Hearts.

"I had played reserve football for three years and needed first-team football as I felt I was too old to play in the reserves.

"I believe going on loan was a factor in me staying with Hearts so long. It was crucial in my development and I enjoyed the experience of first-team football. That helped me no end when I came back to Tynecastle.

"It's been a fantastic 10 years and I've loved every minute of my time here. Hearts helped me get on to the international scene and gain my first cap against Ukraine.

"Also, playing alongside great players and a great management team has helped my career along.

"It's been a bit of a rollercoaster ride, especially the last few years. But hopefully I can keep pushing on and enjoying it.

"We're playing a bit of a rotation system but we've got a massive squad and we have to keep players playing."

Somewhat surprisingly only three players from the reserve side 26-year-old Neilson played in at Hearts still ply their trade in the senior game today.

He added: "Football is a difficult profession to stay in and there are many players I have played with at this club who have faded out of the game.

"Of the reserve side I played in only Kenny Milne, Scott Severin and I are still playing professionally.

"I believe some are playing for lower league teams but there are maybe eight to 10 players who have fallen away from the game."

Neilson was a victim of his coach's rotation policy last week for the 2-2 draw with Hibs in the Edinburgh derby but Ivanauskas was quick to praise his service to the club.

He said: "Congratulations to Robbie Neilson as that is good for him and the club. He is a good player and has been a good servant to this club.

"Robbie has always been the consummate professional. I am the manager and I am very pleased to work with him on a daily basis."

But despite his backing of the defender Ivanauskas was noncommittal when asked if Neilson would be making his 200th appearance against Kilmarnock.

Taken from the Daily Record