Win the title, lads

PAUL KIDDIE

MAJORITY shareholder Vladimir Romanov watched Hearts march to their eighth SPL victory in a row against Rangers and declared: "We can win the title."

Boss George Burley has steadfastly refused to talk up his team's chances of being crowned champions for the first time in 46 years, claiming he won't begin to consider such a dream scenario until his players are still challenging going into the last quarter of the campaign. Lithuanian millionaire Romanov, though, has been delighted with the start the Gorgie outfit has made and is confident his investment can pay off with the delivery of the league flag to Tynecastle in May.

Talking exclusively to the Evening News after Roman Bednar's 14th-minute header had given Hearts their first win at home over Rangers for more than seven years, the Baltic banker said: "The match could have been better but the important thing was the result. It was a great victory for us and I have no doubt we can now stay at the top of the league.

"That is what we strive for in every game and I am confident we can achieve that."

Former Hearts star Dennis Wyness shocked second-placed Celtic at Parkhead with a second-half opener for Inverness Caley Thistle, although Craig Beattie hit back with a double to keep the Glasgow giants five points behind the Gorgie outfit.

Saturday's Tynecastle triumph saw the home side match a 91-year-old club record of eight wins to open a league campaign and Romanov was full of praise for the job being done by Burley in his first season in charge.

He said: "It is difficult to create a team in one year but the players are doing well and I think we can be champions."

But Burley doesn't share Romanov's eagerness to dream of such glory, saying: "Our thoughts have never changed.

"If we finish third it will be a tremendous season.

"Last season the club finished 42 points behind the Old Firm and the progress we have made in the last few months has been amazing. All credit to the boys. Everybody at Hearts is enjoying it but we are not even at the half-way stage."

Burley, meanwhile, is fearing the worst over the injury to Bednar which forced the Czech striker out of action after just 27 minutes.

The matchwinner was hurt in a challenge by Marvin Andrews and was today due to undergo a scan to discover the full extent of the problem with his manager bracing himself for bad news over suspected cartilage damage.

"Roman was in a lot of pain and it doesn't look too great for him," he said. "He will have a scan and then see a specialist to find out if an operation is required."

The Gorgie boss is less concerned about the knee injury hampering Takis Fyssas, Burley admitting he took a gamble in fielding the Greek full-back after he was hurt in last weekend's victory in Inverness.

The 32-year-old limped out of the game after 32 minutes and Burley said: "Takis felt his knee slightly and wanted to come off but we don't think that it is too serious. He was a gamble as was Julien Brellier, who had a bruised calf, and all credit to him for getting through the 90 minutes. I thought he did very well."

With Bednar likely to be sidelined for some time, Burley will be hoping to have Michal Pospisil available for selection in the near future. The front man has been struggling with injury and is expected to restart full training this week.

HEARTS fans have until Monday, October 3 to make postal applications for the clash with Celtic at Parkhead on Saturday, October 15. Applications are now being invited from fans in member categories and they should include name, address, patron number, method of payment and a stamped addressed envelope. A ballot will take place in the event of over subscription.

It is a similar situation for the forthcoming derby against Hibs at Easter Road on Saturday, October 29, with the deadline for postal applications Monday, October 10.

Taken from the Scotsman