VALD WANTS CELTIC REPLAY

FURIOUS Vladimir Romanov last night demanded a replay of the Ne'erday title crunch with Celtic - after the SFA admitted Takis Fyssas should NOT have been sent off.

And the Hearts owner called for two further probes into matches involving his side and Champions League rivals Hibs and Rangers during which he claims his players were "beaten up".

Romanov spoke exclusively to Record Sport last night, soon after Greek defender Fyssas was cleared of the red card which Hearts still blame for their late collapse against Gordon Strachan's SPL leaders.

Fyssas was sent packing by blundering ref Iain Brines for a foul on Shaun Maloney 15 minutes from the end of the table-top showdown with Hearts clinging to a 2-1 lead.

The Parkhead men rammed home their numerical advantage with two late goals to snatch victory and open a seven-point gap on Romanov's side.

Yesterday the SFA's video review panel was forced to admit Fyssas should have stayed on the park but team-mate Paul Hartley will face a charge of misconduct for swinging a boot at snatch victory and open a seven - point gap on Romanov's side.

Yesterday the SFA's video review panel was forced to admit Fyssas should have stayed on the park.

But team-mate Paul Hartley will face a charge of misconduct for swinging a boot at Celtic full-back Ross Wallace.

Romanov insists a rematch is the only way to avoid the title possibly being decided by a refereeing blunder.

But the Lithuanian said: "If we're after a fair game in Scotland I insist on a replay of the match against Celtic.

"But it is not only this game that should be played again. The authorities should look at two others where I believe my team has not been treated fairly."

Romanov pinpointed Hearts' only other SPL defeats this term, at Easter Road and Ibrox.

He alleges Hearts players were unprotected from brutal challenges before they themselves were unfairly penalised.

Speaking during a skiing holiday in Switzerland, Romanov said: "My players have been beaten up.

"Things like this destroy the game and annoy the fans and the players. It increases the stress on the players.

"I didn't expect this kind of thing in Scotland. I have been through it in Lithuania but in Scotland you expect fair and proper football.

"Instead things are even more primitive in Scotland."

Vlad's blast will incense the SFA who have already demanded he explain a recent outburst when he claimed Celtic would only win the Lithuanian league if they took their own officials with them.

Now the beaks are certain to go to war with Romanov over his latest attack.

The Tynecastle chief is also seething over Hartley's impending ban and believes he has the fans on his side.

He added: "All these methods - including unfair refereeing when they do not see fouls by other teams - upsets the fans.

"What I want to deliver at Tynecastle is proper football when you get a fair victory with real proper refereeing."

Taken from the Daily Record