Gudjon Thordarson has confirmed his interest in the Hearts job after emerging as a candidate to become the club's new manager.

The former Iceland and Stoke boss also claims "it's a fact" that Scotland assistant boss Terry Butcher would become his Tynecastle number two.

Thordarson, currently in charge of Icelandic league side IA Akranes, said in the Scottish Sun: "Things really got rolling when the Hearts board realised I could bring along people like Terry.

"When I said Butcher wanted to be my assistant they seemed impressed and it's a fact he would join me."

Thordarson's son Toddy Gudjonsson, who is the IA Akranes chief executive, yesterday insisted Hearts had not made an official approach for his father.

However Thordarson, 52, claims there has been contact through his agent, and he would be willing to take the job if the working conditions are right.

"If people are ambitious in their proposals I'm willing to look into them," he said. "But I'm not losing sleep over this."

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