ROMANOV'S TITLE AMBITION STILL ON TRACK

Hearts majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov insists George Burley's departure as manager has not derailed his ambitions to see Hearts crowned as Scottish Champions.

The Lithuanian businessman has also ruled out Valdas Ivanauskas as Burley's successor and insists the Bank of Scotland Premier League leaders will take their time on an appointment to ensure the right man for the job is selected.

Ivanauskas, the former FBK Kaunas head coach, had emerged as a favourite to succeed the former Tynecastle boss, who departed the club suddenly at the weekend.

Despite a reported rift between Burley and the club's majority shareholder being at the centre of the ex-Scotland international's exit, Romanov thanked the outgoing boss for his contribution.

Romanov said: "I would like to place on record my thanks to George Burley for his input over the past four months.

"However, we will not be derailed from our ambition to deliver to the fans and the city of Edinburgh a club which is regularly competing at the highest levels of football in Scotland and Europe.

"I want the club to be winning the Scottish Premier League title on a regular basis as well as playing top quality football in the Champions League.

"I have kept all my promises to Hearts fans and want them to know that they and the club can look forward to further investment on and off the field.

"We will be staying at Tynecastle for the foreseeable future, we will be redeveloping the stadium to accommodate more and more people.

"And there will be funds available during both the January and summer transfer windows to further strengthen what is already a top quality group of players.

"However, we will not be rushed into a decision on a new manager - I have always said we will pay for quality and professionalism, and that does not mean taking the first individual available.

"Can I also state quite categorically that despite rumours to the contrary, Valdas Ivanauskas will not be a candidate to replace George Burley.

"He has been working at the club on a regular basis assisting with the coaching duties and this may continue in the future if the new manager feels it appropriate.

"The new manager can expect to arrive at a club which has a structure and facilities that are the envy of many others in the UK and abroad.

"Our minds are not closed to any candidate or approach to the job, but the person will be of the highest possible quality and able to deliver the success that the club and all Hearts fans deserve."

The club have already received a number of applications to replace Burley at the club - although there has been no contact with Sir Bobby Robson - with chief executive Phil Anderton driving the recruitment of a new boss.

Former Parma coach Nevio Scala has also been linked with the position after being interviewed along with Burley in the summer.

Meanwhile former Hearts head coach John Robertson insists his departure from Bell's First Division club Ross County is not related to the surprise vacancy at Tynecastle.

The ex-Jambos striker stepped down from the Hearts hot-seat before the end of last season when he rejected a lesser position under a new manager.

Robertson has resigned as Victoria Park boss after a difference of opinion over a number of issues with the club's hierarchy.

But the former Scotland international insists any link with the Bank of Scotland Premier League leaders - following George Burley's departure this weekend - is, at best, premature.

Robertson said: "I would never say never and I was as surprised as anyone that George Burley left Hearts.

"But my resignation at Ross County is nothing to do with any interest from any other clubs.

"It must have been difficult for George. He had done fantastically well at the club, brought some quality players to the club and taken them to the top of the league.

"It was the last thing you expected but football is a strange game. But George deserves his chance at another club."

Taken from sportinglife.com