HEARTS FANS’ TRIBUTE TO FORMER SKIPPER

Hearts fans have laid tributes to former captain Marius Zaliukas outside Tynecastle after the player’s tragic death at the age of 36.

Flowers, scarves and strips have been placed around a railing in front of the main stand. There is also a Lithuanian flag with the message: “Heaven has gained an angel and a legend.”

The centre-back passed away after contracting motor neurone disease “four or five years ago”, according to the Lithuanian FA, who confirmed the news while his former club were facing Hibs in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden. Zaliukas made the most appearances of any foreign player in Hearts’ history with 222 and is the only overseas player to appear in the club’s top 100 for competitive matches played.

He’s most fondly remembered for captaining the Jam Tarts to their 2012 Scottish Cup triumph, where they defeated Hibs 5-1 in an all-edinburgh showdown at the national stadium.

The club have have released an emotional tribute video to former captain.

The four-minute long footage shows an array of the Lithuanian’s goals from his seven years at Tynecastle as he became the club’s leading appearance holder for a foreign player.

It also includes footage from the famous 2012 Scottish Cup final victory, where Zaliukas captained the side to victory and lifted the trophy after the full-time whistle with tears in his eyes.

It was during Saturday’s semi-final, the first Hearts-hibs derby at the national stadium since 2012, that Zaliukas’ death was announced.

The Lithuanian FA confirmed the news in a statement, saying the former defender had contracted motor neurone disease “four or five years ago”.

Manager Robbie Neilson dedicated the 2-1 victory at the weekend to his former teammate, while several other ex-members of the Tynecastle dressing room also paid tribute to his memory.