BBC Sport - Football - Marius Zaliukas's admits Hearts future uncertainty (original) (raw)

Zaliukas took possession of the captain's armband from Michael Stewart

Hearts captain Marius Zaliukas admits his Tynecastle future is uncertain after contract negotiations with owner Vladimir Romanov proved fruitless.

The Lithuania international, who has been at Tynecastle for four years, has been refused the terms he was seeking when his current deal ends in December.

A source at Hearts told BBC Scotland that the player's "English Premiership wage demands" would not be met.

And Zaliukas said: "We had a chat but nothing was solved."

Back in his homeland for Friday's game with Scotland, Zaliukas took the opportunity to meet with Romanov, who is based in the Baltic nation.

"Now that I'm the captain of course I'm enjoying it over there but we will see what is going to be," he added.

"This is football, I need to deal with everything that comes my way."

On Wednesday, the Tynecastle source added: "It's quite clear his heart is not in the football club".

Zaliukas was recently named captain by manager Jim Jefferies, following the departure of Michael Stewart to Turkish football.

The current vice-captain is Scotland full-back Lee Wallace.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

FROM OTHER SPORT SITES

The Scotsman Hearts chief warns Zaliukas over wages - 2 hrs ago

Football365.com ZALIUKAS SEEKS SUCCESS OVER SCOTLAND - 2 hrs ago

Tribal Football Hearts boss speculates Zaliukas manoeuvring for transfer - 7 hrs ago

Sporting Life UNCERTAIN FUTURE FOR ZALIUKAS - 18 hrs ago