Csaba Laszlo launches legal fight against Hearts after axing

FORMER Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo has started legal proceedings against the Edinburgh club as he seeks compensation for what he claims was unfair dismissal in January.

His case will be heard at an employment tribunal in the capital later this year. It will be a public hearing and Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov could face a cross-examination if no settlement is reached before then.

"I have been instructed to act for Mr Laszlo in this matter," said employment law specialist Margaret Gribbon, of Ross Harper. "It would be inappropriate to say anything else at this time."

Laszlo, 45, was sacked in January and immediately replaced by former manager Jim Jefferies. The club had yet to play St Mirren in the semi-finals of the Co-operative Insurance Cup and were in fifth place in the SPL, having lost only one of their last eight league fixtures.

The Hungarian had won two manager of the year awards following his first season in Scotland in 2009 after guiding Hearts to third place in the table. He had 18 months remaining on his contract and is understood to be pursuing the club for a six-figure sum.

• Laryea Kingston has welcomed the competition for places in Ghana's World Cup squad, insisting it is something he has always relished. The midfielder, who will leave Hearts this summer, is one of the 29 shortlisted players hoping to win a place in Milovan Rajevac's final 23-man party to make the trip to South Africa.

"I have always done well when competition is great," Kingston told www.kickoffghana.com. "For the good of the team, it is good."