HAILING from a country which 15 years ago threw off the shackles of Soviet rule, it is little surprise that Vladimir Romanov displays a resilience that won't be broken by the petty concerns of running a football club or three.

The major shareholder at Hearts and the chief backer of FBK Kaunas and MTK Ripo in Minsk, Romanov seems as unlikely to yield as the three ton steel doors guarding the oldest safe deposit vaults in Lithuania in the bowels of his bank's headquarters just off Freedom Avenue in the centre of Kaunas.

Since his coronation in February there has been little to suggest he intends to rule Hearts with anything other than an iron fist and yesterday Romanov disabused anyone still able to retain a notion that this often absent landlord is going to be a negligent one.

John Robertson has already proved a victim of Romanov's resolute methods, his spell as manager having come to an end in May. Although his short tenure ended with a handshake from chief executive Phil Anderton and a press conference in which he re-stated his love for the club it is clear Robertson had crossed Romanov in a way which meant there could only be one winner. It doesn't matter how many goals you have scored for the club in the past, or how many supporters' clubs might be named in your honour. As far as Romanov is concerned it is about the present day, and about unearthing a way to challenge at the very top of Scottish football. Yesterday he said his revolution at Hearts is taking longer than expected, but it has simply made him more determined to make up for lost time. "We are still digging the tunnel," Romanov explained. "But at least we are digging in the right direction."

Included amid the rubble shovelled aside was Robertson, who fell foul of a new owner having initially impressed him with his candour. "Robertson explained he had little experience," said Romanov. "I offered to find another manager who had experience, and could co- operate with him. But Robertson started making his own decisions, and we finally lost all contact. It was useless trying to co-operate with him in the end. He was saying one thing and doing another. It is good when a manager's ambitious, but he must also have wisdom."

Robertson might be better off out of it. The fears of which he spoke when it became clear that Romanov wanted an experienced man at the helm of a team of players largely selected by him appeared to be borne out yesterday.

Robertson wanted complete autonomy on the playing side and though George Burley, his successor, will be keen for this too Romanov can't promise this will indeed occur. Take the case of Edgarus Jankauskas for example. The former Porto player signed for Hearts earlier this week on loan from Kaunas, and while Burley's contacts are extensive it is a huge leap of faith to believe he has suddenly tapped into the Lithuanian market of his own accord.

Romanov yesterday confirmed that the striker was his call, and Burley can expect more additions to his squad who have not necessarily been sanctioned by himself. The Lithuanian suggested another six signings would see Hearts able to mount a credible challenge at the top of the league, although, with time not on the club's side, they might need to be bled into the squad over the course of the coming season.

"It was I who decided about selecting Jankauskas," said Romanov. "But when the manager learned the fact he approved the selection. Jankauskas had so many offers to join other clubs that it would have been a tragic mistake had the manager said 'no'. It took a long time to convince Jankauskas to come to the club. You can only explain to a player why you want him. If he believes it, he will choose the club."

Asked what would happen if Burley simply refused to accept a player thrust into his squad without his prior consent, Romanov gave a perhaps ominous answer. The said player would be there, whether Burley, or whoever else, liked it or not: "In such a case the player would still come, but maybe as a reserve. Things happen in the course of the season, traumas like injuries and suspension. The player would have to prove he is good enough to the manager."

Romanov was speaking to a group of Scottish reporters ahead of last night's Champions League tie between Kaunas, the team his bank Ukio Bankas sponsors, and Liverpool. Sitting in the boardroom of the bank, with Romanov holding court at the head of the table, provided a rare insight into the world of a fiercely secretive man. Romanov appears to control Ukio Bankas, but he declares his share- holding as between 10 to 20 per cent, a figure he intends to bring down to 10 per cent. A question concerning a recent report that his bank had received a poor credit rating was rebuffed as confidential.

His football portfolio includes the Belarussian side MTZ Ripo as well as Kaunas, but Hearts, he maintains, are the vehicle for his most ambitious dreams, with his hopes for Kaunas restricted by Lithuania's obsession with basketball.

"Hearts are on the top of the pyramid, because they have the most players of any of my sides and football is the most popular game in Scotland," he said. "I want Hearts to become the type of club where young players would be eager to come to."

Part of the attraction he hopes will be a fine stadium, with Romanov's intention to get the best on board at Hearts evidenced by his recruitment of the respected Italian architect Massimiliano Fuksas as he seeks to transform Tynecastle.

While he refused to reveal the amount of the club's debt his bank has assumed he did admit the reorganisation of the club's financial obligations is on-going.

"The first step is taking ownership, the second is restructuring the debt and the third is developing the club," he said. "We are at the second stage but maybe one day soon Hearts, too, will be playing Liverpool in the Champions League."

Taken from the Scotsman