FOOTBALL

LASZLO DEMANDS TOTAL SUPPORT

Laszlo wants to stay at Hearts

Saturday October 31,2009

By Daily Express Reporter

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CSABA Laszlo has insisted he would not leave Hearts for any job in the world - as long everyone at the club is 100% behind him.

It has been another rollercoaster week for the Jambos boss, who heard his captain booed during Saturday's goalless Clydesdale Bank Premier League draw with Falkirk before venting his own frustration on Tuesday at seeing the club going backwards this season.

His outburst looked to have come at the worst possible time as it was immediately followed by an impromptu visit from Vladimir Romanov.

That in turn sparked reports the majority shareholder was on the brink of appointing former Lithuania Under-19 coach Ivan Svabovic as the club's new sporting director, something Romanov has now confirmed is under consideration.

And his pep talk with the Hearts squad appeared to have the desired effect, Laszlo's men stunning Celtic at Parkhead 24 hours later to reach the Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-finals.

But it would not be Hearts unless there was one final twist in the tale, with Laszlo quoted expressing surprise he had not been in the running for the Celtic job this summer.

The Jambos boss, who also claimed he would lead Liverpool to the Barclays Premier League title, was more reticent yesterday and he said:

"If I have the feeling the players and the club stay behind me, I can be linked with every job in the world, but why would I move?

"If you will be sacked, if you don't feel you can help the team, you leave."

Laszlo refused to divulge the detail of Tuesday's conversation with the controversial Romanov.

But he confirmed the January transfer window was discussed, having already stressed his desire for experienced players to bolster his young squad.

He added: "This was a productive conversation."

Laszlo revealed Romanov had one-to-ones with skipper Michael Stewart, injured vice-captain Marius Zaliukas and Jose Goncalves.

Defender Goncalves was named man of the match against Celtic on Wednesday night and Laszlo believes he is playing well enough to break into Portugal's World Cup squad after just missing the final cut for their recent qualifier with Hungary.

He added: "Jose Goncalves is a very good football player who from his attitude, from his performance, from his character off the field, inside the dressing room, is a very precious player for Heart of Midlothian."

Laszlo also demanded a repeat performance from Christian Nade, who shrugged off his recent personal issues to run Celtic's defence ragged.

"This is what I want from Christian Nade: move, move, work, work," said the Hearts boss, who believes his players proved on Wednesday they had learnt the lessons from last month's SPL defeat at Parkhead.

"The last game against Celtic, what happened?" he said.

"It was injury time and we had the ball and we had the possibility to keep the ball and the result. We didn't do it.

"Now they have learned.

"This is development and, for this, I am very, very happy."

Hearts must now translate their cup form into the league, having slumped to ninth after nine games after finishing third last term.

They visit Motherwell today and Laszlo said: "Last season, we were in this month also somewhere in the same position as now.

"This must also give a bit of confidence to the players that we can come out of it."