VALDAS FEELING THE HEAT

HEARTS boss Valdas Ivanauskas last night admitted he has NEVER felt under more pressure.

The Jambos have won just once in seven games heading into today's clash with Motherwell at Fir Park.

And after defeats by AEK Athens, Rangers, St Mirren and Sparta Prague, Ivanauskas is facing the Tynecastle axe.

The biggest surprise is that trigger-happy owner Vladimir Romanov hasn't already given him the boot.

After all, he sacked Valdas when the pair worked together at FB Kaunas.

The Hearts coach tries to forget about it all by doing gruelling gym workouts.

But he admits today's game with Well is massive.

Ivanauskas said: "From a pressure point of view this match only compares to the Scottish Cup Final.

"This is the most under pressure I've felt in my career. It's because of the responsibility involved here.

"I've worked under Mr Romanov at Kaunas but the pressures at the two clubs are different. At Hearts there's a lot more attention from the fans and the media.

"When I'm not doing my workouts I think about this job all the time.

"Especially after the last few games. There's suddenly no calmness inside me.

"Because of the sequence of games we have, with only a few days in between, I find it impossible to relax."

When asked what he'll think of the Hearts experience once he's gone Ivanauskas jokes: "You've pushed me out already!"

Seriously? Valdas believes he'll be a better person for it and so will his players.

He said: "Whenever you have a negative period it's an invaluable experience.

"I'll be a better manager AND a better man after this experience. Last season the balance was far better than it has been so far this year but we'll get there in time."

Taken from the Sunday Mail