Lithu-mania at Hearts

AN astonishing 30 Lithuanians are due to arrive in Edinburgh next month for a mass trial period with Hearts.

And the Evening News can also reveal that Vladimir Romanov will edge nearer to his "dream" of 11 maroon-clad Lithuanians tomorrow with Hearts planning to name five players from the Baltic nation in their starting line-up for the first time ever.

As the influence from eastern Europe increases at Tynecastle, head coach Valdas Ivanauskas is preparing to name Nerijus Barasa, Edgaras Jankauskas, Saulius Mikoliunas, Andrius Velicka and Marius Zaliukas in the team to face Motherwell tomorrow.
If you have a view on this or any other subject, let us know.<br /> <h5>Tel:</h5> 0131 620 8747<br /> <h5>Email:</h5> <a href="mailto:news_en@edinburghnews.com">news_en@edinburghnews.com</a> <br />

If you have a view on this or any other subject, let us know.
Tel:

0131 620 8747
Email:

news_en@edinburghnews.com

It will be the first time Hearts have started a match with five players from Lithuania. On three separate occasions, all this season, they have begun with four Lithuanians - at Motherwell on September 17, at Hibs on October 15, and at Celtic on November 4. They also finished with four at Love Street last weekend after Zaliukas came on as substitute.

However, Romanov is intending to further swell the numbers from eastern Europe by flying a plane load of players over to Scotland in January. A club insider confirmed: "We've been told there's 30 of them coming, all Lithuanians. That poses all sorts of problems even down do where they'll sleep and how you feed all those extra bodies at the training ground."

The mass trial period will consist of several bounce matches where those on show will be assessed for their suitability to the Scottish game. Romanov introduced several Lithuanian trialists to Hearts last January, which led to the permanent signing of Barasa from the Russian club Krylya Sovetov Samara. Barasa was signed to FBK Kaunas of Lithuania, another club financed by Romanov, and then instantly loaned to Tynecastle.

Romanov has also secured another trial for Vyacheslav Hleb, the younger brother of Arsenal's Alexander. The Belarussian international midfielder was on trial at Riccarton during July and August but was not signed. He currently plays for the Minsk club MTZ Ripo, who are financed by Romanov's Ukio Bankas Investment Group.

Hleb's agent, Nikolai Shpilevsky, told the Evening News: "He will be training with Hearts from December 15 and they will have two or three weeks to make a decision.

"He wants to win a contract with Hearts."

Hleb is a slightly-built midfielder, aged 23, with 13 caps and three goals for Belarus.

Meanwhile, Paul Hartley's agent has denied suggestions that the Scotland midfielder submitted a summer transfer request to the Hearts board. Mark Donaghy said: "There was no transfer request from Paul. I think I would know if there had been."

Hartley will be absent tomorrow because of a one-match suspension, and captain Steve Pressley has been indefinitely suspended by the club and is now training by himself.

Taken from the Scotsman