Ivanauskas regrets missed chances

Ivanauskas must now prepare his side for the Uefa Cup

Valdas Ivanauskas lamented chances missed as Hearts went down to a shock 1-0 defeat to St Mirren at Tynecastle.

"If you see how many chances we had - we need to score," said the head coach.

"Not half-chances but big chances. The keeper did well but we need a goal, it is so frustrating. But they worked very hard and have had a very tough week."

Ahead of the Uefa Cup game against Sparta Prague at Murrayfield, he added: "Psychologically, it's important - we have five days and need to be ready."

Ivanauskas had earlier rallied against reports suggesting that majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov was picking the Hearts team.

"It is just a story and the final word is mine," he insisted.

"We can discuss players and injuries, but I don't need to go to Mr Romanov to pick my team."

Meanwhile, Ivanauskas confirmed that striker Roman Bednar had been sent off in the tunnel area against Saints.

The Czech Republic forward was shown a red card for foul and abusive language after berating referee Dougie McDonald for waving away several penalty appeals.

Ivanauskas was reluctant to criticise McDonald but clearly felt it was another situation where Hearts had been hard done to.

"We've had a lot of discussions about referees last season and this season and in Europe," he added.