Zaliukas set for key Hearts role in Zagreb
Published Date:
11 August 2009
By BARRY ANDERSON
Marius Zaliukas is in line to partner Ismael Bouzid in central defence for
Hearts' Europa League encounter in Zagreb next week despite being
suspended for the opening four matches of the domestic season.
Manager
Csaba Laszlo is currently debating whether to partner Bouzid with Jose
Goncalves in Monday's SPL curtain-raiser at Tannadice, and then
reinstate Zaliukas for Europe.
The Lithuanian has four games of a five-match domestic ban still to serve after incurring four red cards last season. He
has played in almost every pre-season fixture, evidence that Laszlo
wants him match sharp for the forthcoming two-legged confrontation with
Dinamo Zagreb.
"These are two possibilities, yes," said the
Hungarian. "For Europe, Marius Zaliukas has big experience but for four
weeks he is out in the league. Goncalves played good football with
Bouzid against Bolton and Sunderland but every game is different. We
must know who goes well with who, that's why we have tried all
scenarios and all situations."
Polish defender Dawid Kucharski
provides another option in central defence, but he started both recent
friendlies against Bolton and Sunderland as a substitute while Bouzid
and Goncalves were honing their partnership.
Meanwhile, Laszlo
is refusing to relent in his pursuit of the Macedonian international
striker Ilco Naumoski. Hearts officials spoke in detail with the
player's representatives on Sunday evening and Laszlo is still hopeful
of agreeing contract terms.
The Evening News has learned that
Naumoski visited Hearts' team hotel in Germany last month for contract
talks but priced himself above the club's preferred weekly wage limit
of L4,000. He is due to play for Macedonia against Spain in Skopje
tomorrow evening with several English and European clubs also
monitoring his situation.
Sources close to the player have confirmed he is extremely keen on moving to Scotland but money remains the stumbling block.
Hearts'
Europa League play-off first leg against Dinamo Zagreb will be
broadcast live by BBC2 Scotland next Thursday. Kick-off is 8.00pm UK
time
[uredio Mickey - 12. kolovoza 2009. u 10:04]