Omonia Nicosia boss Valdas Dambrauskas has said sorry to his club’s fans after they suffered an embarrassing weekend defeat to Cypriot minnows Enosis Neon Paralimni ahead of taking on Hearts.
The 1-0 home loss is just the latest in a string of poor domestic results, leaving Omonia sixth the Cypriot First Division, seven points off leaders Paphos. However, they have fared much better on the continent and are visit Edinburgh this Thursday as the Jambos play their first Europa Conference League league phase game in Gorgie.
A 4-0 win over St Mirren in Neil Critchley’s dugout debut at the weekend turned the Tynecastle frowns upside down as the boys in maroon claimed a long awaited first league win of the season. In contrast, his opposite number has been forced into a grovelling apology, taking full responsibility for his team’s defeat and vowing to make things right when they jet into the Scottish capital for this week’s clash.
“I want to apologise to our fans,” said Dambrauskas. “I don’t want to say anything negative about the players because it was one of those games where we did everything except score a goal.
“But there’s no getting away from the fact it’s a very bad result and I take all the responsibility. I have no complaints about my players, I repeat that. They gave everything, they dominated, we created chances, we did a good job, but unfortunately, we conceded a goal.
“It’s my fault, it seems I wasn’t able to convey the information I needed to the players. And it’s the second game in a row we have failed to score a goal. We just lost, it can happen, no player was to blame.
“I have never underestimated any opponent in my career and I didn’t do it here. We have to find the solutions against Hearts and be better.”
There will be a familiar face in the Omonia squad heading to Scotland. Former Rangers defender Filip Helander is amongst their ranks, although may not be guaranteed of a starting place after returning to the XI for the loss to Enosis.