Marius Žaliukas
Encyclopedia
Marius Žaliūkas (born 10 November 1983 in Kuršėnai
, Lithuanian SSR
) is a Lithuanian footballer who is the captain of Scottish Premier League
club Hearts
. He plays as either a centre back or a defensive midfielder.
. He spent a season with FK Šilutė
before returning to Kaunas to claim a regular first team position.
in August 2006. He made his competitive debut for Hearts on 26 August 2006 in a 4–1 victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle
, and scored his first goal for the Tynecastle
club in a 2–2 draw against St. Mirren
in December 2006. He earned hero status amongst Hearts fans on 1 April 2007 by scoring a late winner against Edinburgh derby
rivals Hibernian
at Easter Road
.
He has made a positive effect in the centre of defence, replacing former captain Steven Pressley
. Further to his impressive start to the 2008–09 season, it was reported by BBC Sport
that major clubs in Moscow
were willing to sign the defender. Žaliūkas was sent off four times during the 2008–09 season, although one red card has been rescinded. The third of these dismissals came in a Scottish Cup
tie against Falkirk
, when he punched Falkirk's Carl Finnigan
twice in the face. Manager Csaba László
reacted angrily to Žaliūkas, and told him that he needs to change his attitude. Two of the red cards came at Pittodrie against Aberdeen in separate matches. He ended speculation about his future by signing a new contract with Hearts, which will run until December 2010.
In July 2009, following the departures of captain Robbie Neilson
and vice-captain Christos Karipidis to Leicester City and AC Omonia
respectively, László named Žaliūkas as one of the candidates to take the club captaincy, along with midfielders Michael Stewart
and Laryea Kingston
. László stated that despite Žaliūkas' poor disciplinary record, he would be willing to trust the defender with the responsibility of being a leader. On 13 August 2009, Stewart was named club captain with Žaliūkas as vice-captain, although László stressed that they would share many of the responsibilities that come with the captaincy and said "I really have two captains".
After Stewart left the club to join Gençlerbirliği
, Žaliūkas was appointed club captain by new manager Jim Jefferies
. Soon afterwards, however, Žaliūkas' future at Hearts was put in doubt due to failed contract negotiations, which resulted in him being left out of the team. However he has since signed a permanent contract, ending his previous loan agreement from Kaunas, with which he has cemented his place as captain of Hearts. Towards the end of the 2010-11 season he was once again left out of the team on the orders of club owner Vladimir Romanov
..
Kuršenai
Kuršėnai is the twenty-fifth largest city in Lithuania. According to the 2001 census, it had 14,197 residents.-Famous people:* Stasys Raštikis, Lithuanian army general* Donald Kagan, Yale Classics professor-References:...
, Lithuanian SSR
Lithuanian SSR
The Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic , also known as the Lithuanian SSR, was one of the republics that made up the former Soviet Union...
) is a Lithuanian footballer who is the captain of Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
club Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
. He plays as either a centre back or a defensive midfielder.
Club career
He started his career with Inkaras Kaunas before joining city rivals FBK KaunasFBK Kaunas
Kauno futbolo beisbolo klubas is a Lithuanian football club from the city of Kaunas, that currently plays in the A Lyga, the top level of Lithuanian football.- History :...
. He spent a season with FK Šilutė
FK Šilute
FK Šilutė is a Lithuanian football team from the city of Šilutė. The team plays in the Lithuanian first division 1 Lyga.- Participation in Lithuanian Championships :* 2003 - 3rd * 2004 - 6th* 2005 - 6th...
before returning to Kaunas to claim a regular first team position.
Hearts
Žaliūkas was loaned to HeartsFBK Kaunas to Hearts
Loan moves from Lithuanian football club FBK Kaunas to Scottish Premier League club Hearts have proved controversial in Scottish football. Both clubs are controlled by businessman Vladimir Romanov and the comparatively large number of such loans is seen by some as a bending of the loan transfer rules...
in August 2006. He made his competitive debut for Hearts on 26 August 2006 in a 4–1 victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club are a Scottish football club from Inverness who compete in the Scottish Premier League. They are currently managed by Terry Butcher and assistant manager Maurice Malpas...
, and scored his first goal for the Tynecastle
Tynecastle Stadium
Tynecastle Stadium is a football stadium situated in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hearts. Tynecastle has a seating capacity of 17,420, which makes it the seventh largest football stadium in Scotland...
club in a 2–2 draw against St. Mirren
St. Mirren F.C.
St Mirren Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire who play in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted from the First Division in 2005–06.St...
in December 2006. He earned hero status amongst Hearts fans on 1 April 2007 by scoring a late winner against Edinburgh derby
Edinburgh derby
The Edinburgh derby is an informal title given to any football match played between Scottish clubs Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian , the two professional clubs based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The two clubs have a fierce rivalry that dates back to the clubs being founded in the mid-1870s, which...
rivals Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
at Easter Road
Easter Road
Easter Road is a football stadium located in the Leith area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hibernian . The stadium currently has an all-seated capacity of 20,421, which makes it the fifth-largest football stadium in Scotland. Easter Road is also...
.
He has made a positive effect in the centre of defence, replacing former captain Steven Pressley
Steven Pressley
Steven John "Elvis" Pressley is a retired Scottish footballer, who is now the manager of Scottish First Division club Falkirk. Pressley had a long playing career, playing for both halves of the Old Firm and making over 100 league appearances for both Dundee United and Hearts...
. Further to his impressive start to the 2008–09 season, it was reported by BBC Sport
BBC Sport
BBC Sport is the sports division of the BBC. It became a fully dedicated division of the BBC in 2000. It incorporates programmes such as Match of the Day, Grandstand , Test Match Special, Ski Sunday, Rugby Special and coverage of Formula One motor racing, MotoGP and the Wimbledon Tennis...
that major clubs in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
were willing to sign the defender. Žaliūkas was sent off four times during the 2008–09 season, although one red card has been rescinded. The third of these dismissals came in a Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
tie against Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
, when he punched Falkirk's Carl Finnigan
Carl Finnigan
Carl Finnigan is an English footballer who is currently playing for St. Johnstone.-Career:Finnigan was born in Jarrow. As a youngster, he played for Jarrow F.C.'s under-age teams before joining Newcastle United...
twice in the face. Manager Csaba László
Csaba László
Csaba László is a Romanian born Hungarian football manager and former player. He is the manager of Belgian Pro League club Charleroi SC. He is former manager of Scottish Premier League club...
reacted angrily to Žaliūkas, and told him that he needs to change his attitude. Two of the red cards came at Pittodrie against Aberdeen in separate matches. He ended speculation about his future by signing a new contract with Hearts, which will run until December 2010.
In July 2009, following the departures of captain Robbie Neilson
Robbie Neilson
Robbie Neilson is a Scottish internationalist professional association footballer who plays as a right back or centre back. He is currently contracted to Dundee United until the end of the 2010-11 season. Neilson started his league career with Heart of Midlothian, for whom he made 200 Scottish...
and vice-captain Christos Karipidis to Leicester City and AC Omonia
AC Omonia
Athletic Club Omonoia Nicosia is a professional football club that plays in the Cyprus capital city Nicosia. The club was established in 1948 and became a member of the Cyprus Football Association in 1953...
respectively, László named Žaliūkas as one of the candidates to take the club captaincy, along with midfielders Michael Stewart
Michael Stewart (footballer)
Michael James Stewart is a Scottish footballer who is currently a free agent after his release by Charlton Athletic. He is notable for beginning his career with Manchester United and having played for both of the Edinburgh derby rivals Hibernian and Hearts. He terminated his contract with Turkish...
and Laryea Kingston
Laryea Kingston
Laryea Kingston is a Ghanaian professional footballer, who is currently playing for Israeli Premier League club Hapoel Be'er Sheva in Israel...
. László stated that despite Žaliūkas' poor disciplinary record, he would be willing to trust the defender with the responsibility of being a leader. On 13 August 2009, Stewart was named club captain with Žaliūkas as vice-captain, although László stressed that they would share many of the responsibilities that come with the captaincy and said "I really have two captains".
After Stewart left the club to join Gençlerbirliği
Gençlerbirligi
Gençlerbirliği Spor Kulübü is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Ankara, which is the capital of Turkey. Formed in 1923, Gençlerbirliği are nicknamed Ankara Rüzgârı . The club colours are black and red. They play their home matches at Ankara 19 Mayıs Stadium.Domestically,...
, Žaliūkas was appointed club captain by new manager Jim Jefferies
Jim Jefferies
James "Jim" Jefferies is a Scottish football former player and manager. Jefferies played for Heart of Midlothian for almost his whole playing career and enjoyed a successful first managerial spell with the club, winning the 1998 Scottish Cup...
. Soon afterwards, however, Žaliūkas' future at Hearts was put in doubt due to failed contract negotiations, which resulted in him being left out of the team. However he has since signed a permanent contract, ending his previous loan agreement from Kaunas, with which he has cemented his place as captain of Hearts. Towards the end of the 2010-11 season he was once again left out of the team on the orders of club owner Vladimir Romanov
Vladimir Romanov
Vladimir Nikolayevich Romanov ; born 1947 in Tver Oblast, Russian SFSR, USSR) is an ethnic Russian businessman who also holds Lithuanian citizenship following that country's independence from the Soviet Union. He is chairman of UBIG Investments which is the majority shareholder in Scottish Premier...
..