Language no huge barrier for Malofeev, says McGlynn

RUSSIAN mentor Eduard Malofeev will not be hindered by the language barrier whilst deputising as head coach of Hearts, according the club's assistant coach John McGlynn.

The 64-year-old assumed control of first-team affairs as acting head coach at the weekend after Valdas Ivanauskas opted for a two-week leave of absence, but Malofeev's lack of a command of English has prompted concern amongst supporters.

Communicating through an interpreter, the former FBK Kaunas coach has delivered training programmes at Riccarton this week as he prepares to take to the dugout at Tynecastle for the first time when Dunfermline visit Edinburgh this Saturday.

McGlynn intimated that the players have responded well thus far with Malofeev's instructions having been made abundantly clear. "It's not a perfect situation because someone who speaks English makes it a lot easier," he noted. "But with the interpreter there we talk before we go out to train so that everyone knows what is planned.

"It has to be okay because we just have to get on with things as they are. We don't have to spend a lot of time translating instructions when we are actually out on the training pitch, and that does help."

Malofeev has formulated some of the training regimes undertaken by Hearts since his arrival at the club during the summer. McGlynn went on: "Eduard devised some training sessions over in Austria during pre-season, which Valdas delivered, and then there were a couple more when we got back at the start of the season.

"His training regime is different but no two coaches will ever be the same.

"We will see how his programme pans out throughout this week and what differences may occur."

After yesterday's 2-1 defeat by Hibs reserves at Forthbank, McGlynn has challenged returning first-team players like Michal Pospisil and Saulius Mikoliunas to impress themselves upon Malofeev and ensure their inclusion against Dunfermline this weekend.

Pospisil is recovering from injury whilst Mikoliunas missed last weekend's 2-0 defeat by Kilmarnock due to suspension.

"There will be places up for grabs so it's up to these guys to go and impress," said McGlynn. "They have to stake their claim. It's not as if we're doing that well that we can afford to overlook anyone."

Meanwhile Hearts were yesterday fined £10,000 by the SFA over remarks which appeared on their club website criticising referees.

Earlier this year club owner Vladimir Romanov issued a statement which questioned the integrity of match officials during Hearts' Scottish Cup-winning campaign.

After seeing his side lift the silverware, Romanov posted on the website: "Last season, you didn't manage to protect the Scottish Cup and gave it to Hearts, despite all the referees' efforts and intrigues."

There could be further woe for Romanov though as an individual disrepute charge against him was deferred until the committee's next meeting in December.