Riabovas: I'll be back

FBK KAUNAS manager Eugenius Riabovas could still return to Hearts in a coaching capacity and is seeking urgent talks with Vladimir Romanov for clarification on his future.

The Lithuanian believed he would begin work at Tynecastle as interim head coach by the start of this month, however a six-month trial failed to materialise because Valdas Ivanauskas returned to his job two weeks ago following sick leave.
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That has not necessarily closed off all avenues to Riabovas, who, like most Lithuanians at Kaunas, is desperate to attain a transfer to Hearts in some capacity. He will consider accepting a general coaching role under Ivanauskas provided Romanov agrees.

Riabovas insists he will know his fate by this weekend and is ready to fly to Edinburgh immediately to begin work on Monday.

From his home in Kaunas, he told the Evening News: "I will know today or tomorrow whether I am going to Edinburgh because I am going to speak with Vladimir Romanov.

"I want to speak with him before Saturday. I don't know the position at the moment, but I think about what Vladimir said to me."

Romanov's company, Ukio Bankas investment group, finances both Hearts and Kaunas, and Riabovas was led to believe that there would be a role for him in Scotland after Eduard Malofeev left to obtain his UEFA Pro licence. "I still want to come to Hearts," he continued. "I believe I will only help them. At this moment I can't say whether I will go or not go because I don't know if there is a position for me."

Riabovas, 55, led Kaunas to the Lithuanian championship last month but missed their final-day celebrations because he was in Edinburgh preparing to take the reins at Hearts. He then mysteriously returned to Lithuania just prior to Ivanauskas resuming work. Malofeev has just been appointed as the new head coach of the Minsk side MTZ Ripo, another club who come under the UBIG umbrella. Reports in Belarus suggest the relations with Romanov could see Hearts secure a loan deal for Belarussian international midfielder Vyacheslav Hleb, brother of Arsenal's Alexander.

Meanwhile, Hearts have three youth players in international action tomorrow evening when Scotland's under-16 side face England in York. Daniel Thomson, David Love and John Wood are all hoping to feature for their country at Kit Kat Crescent.

Taken from the Scotsman