Laszlo: Free speech would cost me my job

Csaba Laszlo claimed he would be sacked as Hearts boss if he came clean about whether he will be allowed to buy a striker in January.

Laszlo's frustration spilled over after he was forced to watch his goal-shy team fail to find the net for the third straight Scottish Premier League game, with this afternoon's Edinburgh derby ending in a goalless draw.

Asked if he hoped to be able to buy a striker when the transfer window re-opens, Laszlo said: "If I give you an answer about this situation, I will not be the coach here tomorrow. This is the truth."

Laszlo hinted he may be prepared to walk away from Hearts back in August if he was not given funds to bring in a forward before the previous transfer window closed. Majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov refused to cave in and Laszlo appears to fear the consequences of another public outburst.

Hearts' need for goals was highlighted again as they dominated the first Edinburgh derby of the season. Laszlo was "satisfied" with the performance of his side, who have now won only two of their 11 SPL games this term.

But he added: "I can only say again and again and again, if you don't score goals, you don't ever win a game. With all my respect also for Christian Nade and Gary Glen and Jamie Mole, they worked well and did what was necessary but we didn't score the goals. We had about 11 or 12 corners. This tells you everything."

Laszlo singled out captain Michael Stewart for special praise after the midfielder ran himself into the ground just two weeks after some of his own fans booed him from the field against Falkirk.

"The will, the running, for 92- 93 minutes long," said Laszlo of Stewart, who he claims gave a performance worthy of a place in the Scotland squad. "If Mike Stewart can follow this road, even the supporters can accept his game."

He added: "I saw after the game our supporters applauded the team for their performance. This was a very, very important moment."

Hearts had a penalty claim rejected in stoppage-time when substitute Jamie Mole went down. Laszlo said: "Even if it's no penalty, we had enough chances to win the game."

Hearts almost paid the ultimate price for their impotence today, as goalkeeper Janos Balogh tipped David Wotherspoon's drive onto the post before having to be alert to deny substitute Derek Riordan.

Hibs boss John Hughes, whose side could have gone joint top with a win today, said: "I'll take a point with the way we played. Not to be at your best and to come here and take a point, I think it shows good signs.

"I felt Hearts were the better side in the first half, but not with any great football. We defended it very well, I felt. (Ian) Murray and (Chris) Hogg were immense in the centre of defence.

"Second half, I felt we were a little bit better."

Hughes was critical of the recalled Colin Nish after not shaking the striker's hand at full-time.

"He worked his corners, worked away," he said. "What I'm really looking for is a big 6ft 2in (player) not to be on his backside all the time."

Hughes was forced to change his side for the first time in five games after Sol Bamba limped out of training yesterday with a knee problem and Merouane Zemmama failed to shake off a groin injury.

Derek Riordan was also only fit enough to start on the bench after hurting his foot in an incident involving his dog.

But Hughes is confident the forward will be able to link up with the Scotland squad this week, adding: "He should be okay. He's really keen to go with Scotland."