No deal: Marius Zaliukas has seen his permanent move to Hearts collapse over his wage demands. Pic: ©SNS Group
Marius Zaliukas looks to have played his last game for Hearts after the Lithuanian defender priced himself out of a permanent switch to Tynecastle. The 26-year-old has been on loan with the SPL club since 2006 from FBK Kaunas and was named captain by Jim Jefferies at the start of the season.
Jefferies had made moves to finally make the international’s move permanent, having played 115 games during his four-year stay. But STV Sport understands Zaliukas’ exorbitant wage demands have effectively ended his career with Hearts.
Zaliukas’ current loan deal ties him to the Gorgie club until December and the player travelled to Lithuania to hold talks with owner Vladimir Romanov last week.
Yet the central defender failed to return to Edinburgh for the weekend draw with Dundee United, instead staying in Kaunas before joining his international team-mates ahead of their Euro 2012 qualification double header against Scotland and Czech Republic.
Together with his request for a vast improvement on his current salary, there have also been doubts cast over Zaliukas’ popularity in the dressing room at Tynecastle.
Having played twice this season under Jefferies, it now looks unlikely Zaliukas will return for his team’s next game against Celtic on September 11, with Hearts now unable to recruit defensive cover other than players available on free transfers.
The 6ft 3in defender moved to Hearts in 2006, making his debut in a 4-1 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Capped 21 times by his country, he has made 115 appearances in a maroon jersey.
He was overlooked for the Hearts captaincy by Csaba Laszlo in 2009 in favour of Michael Stewart, with Zaliukas assuming the role of vice-captain. However, the arrival of Jefferies saw the Lithuanian appointed permanent captain and, after Stewart’s departure to Genclerbirligi, Lee Wallace was named as his deputy.
