Anderton on attack over Hearts split claims

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS chief executive Phil Anderton today took a swipe at the sceptics who claim cracks have appeared in the relationship between Vladimir Romanov and George Burley.

Suggestions of a split between the pair arose after it emerged that the club's two new signings ahead of the midweek transfer deadline were Romanov recruits. The Lithuanian bankrolled deals for Brazilian midfielder Camazzola and Senegalese internationalist Ibrahim Tall, the Baltic millionaire also responsible for bringing Edgaras Jankauskas and Takis Fyssas to Tynecastle. Anderton admitted the current formula being used by the club is somewhat unusual but he would prefer people to focus on the progress being made by the table-topping Jambos rather than a non-existent split between the manager and majority shareholder.

"People have a right to question as history shows that people have tried this sort of thing before and it hasn't always worked so there will always be scepticism," he said.

"And, when you're up against Rangers and Celtic, people will have a go. I can understand why people are maybe a bit confused about the way we are doing things as we're doing them slightly differently. If it's confusing, it's certainly working. It's also human nature I suppose that, when people put their heads above the parapet and say they'll do this that and the next thing, people want them to fail."

Burley has continually insisted he enjoys a "very good" relationship with Romanov, although he conceded it's the kind of partnership which he has not been used to in previous managerial posts. "My everyday running of the club is absolutely fine. I am really enjoying it," he said.

"As far as training matters are concerned, the team and changing things on and off the field I have been given a free role which is also tremendous.

"It's a different way of working to what I have been used to and it's not ideal for me. As a manager I would like to say 'I want to bring him in' and do it right away but that's not the scenario.

He added: "As I have said before, if Mr Romanov wasn't involved Hearts wouldn't be where we are just now. I get on well with him. We have plenty of conversations and we both want to make Hearts successful. The only difference to what I have been used to is the transfer deals and I can live with that."

Taken from the Scotsman