VLAD JUST KEEPS ON RIPPING HEART OUT OF HIS CLUB

HAS there ever been a more ridiculous character in Scottish football than Vladimir Romanov?

How else can you describe the Hearts owner after he embarrassed his club yet again by demanding the New Year's Day clash with Celtic be replayed?

Gordon Strachan's men won a five-goal thriller with two late goals after Takis Fyssas got his marching orders for a foul on Shaun Maloney.

The win put the Hoops seven points clear at the top of the table but since then the Greek defender's appeal against his red card has been upheld and Romanov believes a rematch is the only way to avoid the title being decided by a refereeing blunder.

Exactly what planet is he on?

This is a guy who left his own fans totally bewildered when he sacked George Burley after he led them to an 11-game unbeaten run at the start of the season.

Previously, Tynecastle legend John Robertson had also been binned when he failed to take Hearts into Europe.

Romanov insisted it would be "useless" to persist with Robbo. Unfortunately the Baltic banker's absurd rant didn't stop there.

Not only does he want the Celtic defeat replayed but says other games Hearts have lost against Hibs and Rangers should also be looked at.

Apparently Romanov's players were "unprotected" by the ref in these games from some brutal challenges before eventually they were unfairly penalised themselves.

By saying some of his men were "beaten up" he has no doubt made some of his players cringe with embarrassment at the idea they can't look after themselves.

Steven Pressley, Andy Webster, Julien Brellier and Edgaras Jankauskas can all handle themselves and know it's a man's game.

But not for the first time refs got it in the neck from those in a position of power at Hearts.

Remember last season when Rangers won a vital league game at Tynecastle with a controversial late penalty after linesman Andy Davis drew Hugh Dallas's attention to an off the ball challenge?

Sadly, Romanov's wacky views on our game were endorsed at that time by others at the club who should have known better.

Forget all the parliamentary language from board members George Foulkes and Chris Robinson last season when both approved the club's wish to question the "integrity of the decision" that gave Rangers a disputed penalty in injury time for a 2-1 win.

In simple words all the punters will understand they were saying refs in Scotland were cheats. Romanov has made it perfectly clear he truly believes our refs are bent.

Why else would he "question the integrity" of certain decisions and ask for games to be replayed?

The sad truth is he's deadly serious. His consistent take on how our game is played can only be as a result of what he is used to.

Unlike Romanov I have no idea what happens weekly in Lithuanian football.

But if corruption is part of it my experience in Scottish football is the exact opposite. I firmly believe our refs are nothing if not honest.

Sure they make errors. Sometimes they make big mistakes that can affect the outcome of games. But that's not just football, that's sport.

Right now, glaring inconsistencies in recent refereeing decisions have even resulted in managers calling for some clarification on certain issues.

Clyde boss Graham Roberts doesn't understand what merits a red or yellow card when a foul is committed inside the box.

When you see some examples of what happens you can understand his confusion.

All that is part of a healthy debate in improving standards. No one else in Scotland thinks our refs are bent, do they?

I wonder, is this how Romanov will handle every questionable decision during his time here?

If it is, the game will descend into anarchy if other clubs follow his lead and feel obliged to ask for an inquiry or a replay of a closely fought match that didn't go their way.

Thankfully, David Taylor at the SFA was quick to react to this nutty notion and kick his claim into touch.

To be honest, they should do more.

The owner of one of our top clubs is undoubtedly bringing the game into disrepute with his persistent and disruptive claims of cheating.

It's not the kind of leadership we want to see here in Scotland.

Romanov would do well to listen to his captain Pressley.

After the game, one of the best of the season, the club captain accepted his team were guilty of throwing away a two-goal lead.

That concerned him much more than one or two debatable refereeing decisions and it's a lesson all teams near the top of the table must deal with if they seriously hope to challenge for the title.

Too often now we hear of the pathetic whining from a man in a position of great power. His example to the Hearts fans is shameful.

Contrary to what they believe at Tynecastle everyone welcomes their challenge to the Old Firm. Hearts improvement is to be applauded. Can they get back at Celtic and win it? I don't think so. Unless someone comes in in this transfer window and scores consistently I've always said they'll fall short.

Rangers have them in their sights for second place. Can Hearts hold the current champs off? Possibly. If their ambition is to win the league and get success in Europe, great. I don't know Romanov's long term view for the club.

Does anyone at Tynecastle? Hopefully, well-respected individuals like Campbell Ogilvie, recently appointed as general secretary and director of operations, can have a calming influence on how the club moves forward. Every few months, one angry outburst follows another from Tynecastle.

It's high time to give it a rest Vlad.

Taken from the Sunday Mail