Anderton shows his colours on surprise return to Tynecastle

EWAN MURRAY

AFTER going to ground following his dismissal as chief executive of Hearts last week, Phil Anderton resurfaced on Saturday perhaps where he was least expected - at The Athletic Arms bar near Tynecastle, en route to the Hearts v Dundee United match.

Fans in the popular and traditional haunt for the Gorgie club's followers were surprised to see Anderton - adorned with Hearts scarf - and his father enjoying a small libation and a casual chat before taking in a 3-0 victory.

Anderton has been uncontactable either via telephone or by those members of the media who have visited his Biggar home since his surprise exit from Hearts, but he chatted candidly to intrigued punters despite admitting to not having been a follower of the club before his appointment as chief executive in March.

Anderton, who is still engaged in talks aimed at negotiating a settlement for his contract, said to be worth £120,000 per year, spoke to fans about his concern over Vladimir Romanov's regime, and in particular the Lithuanian businessman's decision to remove George Burley from the post of manager.

The chief executive was a key figure in attracting Burley to the club, and fought hard to keep the manager in place amid unsubstantiated rumours of personal issues which have dogged Burley since he left Derby County last season. Anderton seemed to enjoy the opportunity to put the record straight with worried supporters, who are still smarting from the loss of three key figures at their club in the space of 10 days.

The former chief executive then took his seat in the Wheatfield Stand, not far from ousted chairman George Foulkes who was the other high-profile victim of last week's boardroom coup at Tynecastle.

If a cynic was to say that Anderton's attendance on Saturday was no more than a public relations stunt to enhance his reputation with Hearts supporters, the evidence to support that view is not strong. His movements were not stage-managed, and his presence went virtually unnoticed. It remains to be seen if he will join the Hearts travelling support for their next match, against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on 20 November.

Foulkes, meanwhile, was back in the seat he has occupied for many years as a season ticket holder. "Phil actually tried to come down to say 'hello' to me at half time, but the stewards wouldn't let him through," said Foulkes yesterday.

"I enjoyed the match more than any other this season. I look at the questions which are being asked about the Hearts board today, and know I don't have to worry about them.

"All of the fans were very nice to me, and it was pleasing to see them taking a longer-term view of proceedings. It helped that I could give them an insight at last, and highlight the dilemma I faced last week.

"I believe the players can stay at the top of the league for the remainder of the season, but the uncertainty over the management situation needs to be resolved as soon as possible."

Taken from the Scotsman