HEARTS boss Valdas Ivanauskas has told Rangers they are ready to taken them on anytime between now and the end of the season.

The Lithuanian coach has told Ibrox counterpart Alex McLeish to crank up the pressure as much as he likes because no one at Tynecastle is even listening.

McLeish has led his team to within three points of high-flying Hearts in recent weeks and reckons the Gorgie boys could be found wanting in a battle of wits.

He wants to play the Jambos as soon as possible after the split because his team are hitting a run of form and are desperate to put their rivals under even more pressure.

However, Ivanauskas has reacted in bullish fashion as his side prepares to take on Dunfermline this afternoon in a game that marks the 120th anniversary of Tynecastle.

Ivanauskas said: "For me, it isn't difficult. We play Dunfermline, Rangers play Motherwell and then there's the split and the draw for the last five games of the season.

"I'm happy to face Rangers in the first game, the third or the fifth, whatever. It's no problem, there's no difference to us and we'll play them anytime.

"Sure, we lost three points against Celtic and congratulations again to Gordon Strachan and his team for winning the title.

"But I know my side. We played well against Celtic and if we show the same qualities and energies in the games we still have to play this season we should feel no pressure.

"After today's games, the best six teams in Scotland prepare to face each other and every match is important to every side.

"Every game is difficult - and Rangers still also have to go to Celtic, remember.

"But there are no big problems for Hearts. We'll give our best against every side we play and concentrate only on ourselves - I'm not interested in any other teams."

Ivanauskas, 39, is preparing to lead a team into the split for the first time in his fledgling managerial career but it is not a system that is unfamiliar to him.

The former striker played in Austrian football after leaving the old Soviet Union and they also operate an end-of-season split.

However, the former Hamburg star said: "I'm not a fan. I came across the league split system for the first time when I went to play with Austria Vienna.

"It's more problematic over there - once you reach 40 points, they give you half your points and you start again but even if you get to 41 points, you still have to start again with 20.

"In Scotland, I don't think it's fair to fans of clubs such as Dundee United who are denied the opportunity to watch their team in the final round against the likes of ourselves, Rangers and Celtic. It should be possible to watch your team against all its opponents for the full season, not just three stages of it."

Striker Michal Pospisil has also shrugged off suggestions their bottle is questionable because he has been though it all back home with former club Sparta Prague.

Pospisil, 26, said: "I took the title with Sparta and we only ended up four points ahead of the club that finished in second place so I've been in this position before.

"We don't feel any extra pressure after that defeat to Celtic. Of course, it would be better to be six points ahead of Rangers rather than three but we're still in front.

"The pressure is still on Rangers more than Hearts but there is no point thinking only about them as every match is important now.

"I still think other points will be lost between now and the end of the season. Rangers still have to go to Parkhead and I really hope and believe Celtic can win that match.

"They showed the strength of their team by winning the title with six games to go. They made it look easy but it says a lot they recovered from their bad start."

However, unlike coach Ivanauskas, Pospisil reckons the SPL split is good for the Scottish game as he bids to clinch Hearts' place at the top table of European football next season.

He added: "I really think it's a good idea. There's still lots of interest because of the fight for second place and the last five games should throw up a lot of good football as they involve the six best teams.

"I've played in the Champions League before with Sparta but I was only a youngster and it taught me I still had a lot to learn in the game.

"I'm more confident now and to play at that level again next season would be a dream."

Bosnian wide man Mirsad Beslija is included in the squad, with the agent of the former Racing Genk star admitting he will look to move his client on soon if he doesn't make a first team breakthrough.

Hearts forked out £850,000 to bring Beslija to Tynecastle in January but Ivanauskas has urged him to bide his time.

He said: "Mirsad is a good player and needs to show patience because we have a big squad."

Taken from the Daily Record