Hearts vow to 'rigorously defend' Laszlo legal action

HEARTS have vowed to "rigorously defend" themselves in the face of legal action from former manager Csaba Laszlo.

Laszlo has instructed lawyers to prepare an unfair dismissal case, which could be heard at an employment tribunal in Edinburgh later this year.

The former Uganda manager was sacked on 29 January following repeated criticism of the club's transfer policy after his continued attempts to sign an experienced striker were frustrated.

Hearts issued a statement on their official website yesterday, which read: "We are not surprised to see Mr Laszlo seeking to profit from the club given his attitude towards the club before and after he left in January but we will rigorously defend our position if he proceeds in this way."

Laszlo joined Hearts in July 2008 and in his first season guided the team to a third-place finish in the SPL and qualification for the Europa League.