HALE AND HEARTY

ANDRIUS VELICKA last night insisted the Hearts dressing room is not split between the Scots and the Lithuanians - but admitted the language barrier is a problem.

The striker confessed to being confused when Steven Pressley, Craig Gordon and Paul Hartley issued a statement two weeks ago claiming unrest existed.

Velicka is adamant the players get on really well and he is loving life in Scotland so much that he wants to stay when his loan spell from Kaunas ends in May.

The attacker scored against Celtic at the weekend and hit a double to salvage a point against Hibs the last time the teams met at Easter Road three weeks ago.

But he claims those goals did not mean more to him than any others, saying: "There were other vital moments. I scored two goals for Kaunas which gave us the title and I scored for the national youth team against Turkey as well as in the Osasuna game earlier this season.

"But everybody is happy. We are training and concentrating on the games. We are not discussing problems. Our job is to train and perform well on the pitch.

"I don't see any split between the Lithuanians and Scots. We are united. The only difference is the language and I want to stay on here when my loan deal expires at the end of the season.

"I have a problem with English and didn't really understand what was said in the statement.

"I am a new player and Steven and the others didn't have to ask my opinion. I have not been here long enough to be involved in all the problems mentioned."

As for tonight's CIS Cup clash against Hibs, Velicka is not interested in the fragile confidence of Easter Road keeper Zibi Malkowski, who gifted him two goals in the last game.

Velicka said: "Hibs have four defenders I have to deal with before him. I don't care what the Hibs keeper is thinking. We must win the game."

Taken from the Daily Record