Laszlo wants new hitman to boost Hearts squad

The manager was distraught after losing heavily in the Croatian capital and stated that his team was short of what was required to compete. In particular, he lamented the inability of his forwards to retain possession and impose themselves on the opposition.

Laszlo believes a new striker is vital before the transfer window closes in nine days time but stressed he would not be demanding significant amounts of money to spend. He said he can only hope that Vladimir Romanov and the Hearts board agree to back him in some way.

"I think this is not only my duty to ask for investment," he said. Everybody knows what we need. Everybody knows what is the problem. I hope the people help us to resolve this problem.

"We had experienced players on the field. We have a very big problem up front. We don't keep the ball, we don't create chances and we are not so dangerous. At the moment, I can't talk about trying to get a striker.

"I had so many possibilities and at the moment nobody comes.

"We must wait to see what happens. I will try to concentrate on what we have now and nothing more.

"Definitely it is not an accident why Dinamo have scored over 20 goals in four games. We saw a team who went out of the Champions League against Salzburg. It is not only a strong team but an experienced team who every year have players who cost millions and millions. They play fantastic football, especially up front."

Laszlo added that he was dispirited by last night's scoreline, which leaves Hearts with no realistic chance of qualifying for the Europa League group phase.

"This 4-0 was too high and definitely not okay," he said. "For me personally it is very painful to talk about it but we must accept it. We must take the next step and not put our head in the sand. I don't say everything is okay, nothing is okay. There is a lot of work to do. I think this was a lecture for us, to learn that if you would like to come to this level you must show your concentration and will, and be together. You cannot get a goal in the fifth minute and after lose the confidence. Now the most important thing is to concentrate on the Rangers game.

"To win against Dinamo next week would give something back to the supporters and I think we must do this. A lot of fans came to Zagreb and they suffered like the team. This is not okay.

"We have a very young team. On the bench, excluding Balogh and Black, we have players around 18 or 19. If you put them in, they don't make a difference. This is difference from last year, because then you had players who made a difference. Now it is a young team, a completely new team and they definitely need time and they need our support.

"It is not easy. Sunday is the next big opponent of three big games this week. We cannot do too much, only talk and try to build the confidence. The best way to do that is win against Rangers."