Ivanauskas' lips are sealed, but Pressley verdict is 'very close'

HEARTS head coach Valdas Ivanauskas last night assured supporters the club are 'very close' to reaching an outcome over ostracised captain Steven Pressley.

The Scotland internationalist is reputedly serving an interval club suspension as punishment for going public, in October, on the unrest within the dressing room.
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Despite claiming, following his side's 2-2 draw with St Mirren last Saturday, that a statement on the matter would be made the following day or on Monday, club officials have remained silent over the issue, adding to the disillusionment felt by supporters.

Pressley has been missing from the club's Riccarton training complex since last Thursday when it is believed he was told of his suspension by director of infrastructure Pedro Lopez.

In the meantime, he has been spotted keeping himself in shape at Dunfermline's Pitreavie training complex.

It was hoped the club's weekly Friday press conference to preview today's home clash with Motherwell would shed some light on the issue but, instead, all Ivanauskas had to say is that he expected a statement to be made imminently. He said: "We are very close to a resolution. I don't have an exact time of when it will happen. It will be as soon as possible. I hope, as soon as possible, the situation will be clear. It is right for the fans and everyone that they know the situation."

Ivanauskas' admission that a resolution was "very close" effectively came through submission at the end of 30-minute interview in which he was barraged with questions about the disposed skipper.

The Lithuanian initially began the press conference by speaking through an interpreter as he anticipated the Pressley saga would be high on the agenda. In response to the first question, he said: "With all due respect to you, the media, as well as the fans, we have to concentrate and focus 100 per cent on the game, this is where the main focus is.

"We would like to assure you there will be a public statement as soon as a resolution is reached. For now, it is a difficult situation and I am not looking away from it. I understand it is a difficult situation. If there are no further questions about the game, it might be better to stop the conference."

Meanwhile, much-maligned winger Saulius Mikoliunas insists he understands why he is often subjected to criticism from the club's supporters.

He said: "They pay for their tickets and if the team is not playing well they have a right to boo. I think they boo because they are not happy with the team. I don't know if it is unfair if the fans boo the Lithuanian players instead of the Scottish ones. Maybe the Lithuanian players did not perform so well. It's not a good feeling when I am booed but I understand. Everyone is trying their best and want to give 100 per cent for the team."

Mikoliunas, however, was less forthcoming on his thoughts about Pressley. He said: "I don't want to talk about Steven Pressley. It's about the team and everyone is focused on the game against Motherwell. It concerns me but I am focused on the game against Motherwell."

• Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb's younger brother Vyacheslav is to have a trial at Hearts. The 23-year-old striker - also a Belarus international - plays for MTZ-Ripo Minsk. The former Grasshopper and Hamburg player's agent, Nikolai Spilevski, said: "Vyacheslav will arrive at Hearts next week for training. The Belarussian season is over so he can do this. They will take two weeks to decide whether or not he will stay there - but there is a chance this could become a permanent deal."


Taken from the Scotsman