Hearts' sensational shopping spree proves Romanov means business

EVEN by the headline-grabbing standards set during Vladimir Romanov's first year in charge of Hearts, Tuesday's activity at Tynecastle was breathtaking. The final day of the transfer window always provokes a flurry of signings, but this was something else again.

By the weekend, Hearts had signed four new players since the turn of the year - Neil McCann, Nerijus Barasa, Lee Johnson and Chris Hackett. On Tuesday afternoon they unveiled four more, including the club's record signing, Mirsad Beslija, and that was presumed to be that. As the clock ticked towards midnight, however, news came through that a further three recruits had been registered on time, meaning that the club had signed 11 players - in other words, a whole new team - over the course of the month.

The outlay of around £2 million, and the fact that many new signings are on three-and-a-half-year deals, was the most compelling proof yet that Romanov is intent on making his supposedly fanciful dreams reality. The magnitude of his ambition has always been plain to see: now, though, it is clearer than ever that he has a long-term plan to turn such ambition into achievement.

There are still sceptics, of course, but a clear pattern is now emerging. They said he would never find the money to buy control of Hearts from Chris Robinson: he found the money. They said he would not call off the sale of Tynecastle which the former chief executive had planned: he called off the sale of Tynecastle. They said he would not splash out large sums on quality players: guess what he did next.

In other words, Romanov has delivered on his promises. He has made mistakes, of course, but his commitment to the cause is there for all to see.

Which is why, as he retired for the night in the early hours of Wednesday morning, Graham Rix must have had a wry smile to himself at the way his luck had turned. First, Romanov gave him a job when no-one else seemed prepared to consider him; now, the club's owner has given him the resources which could allow him to create the best Hearts side in almost half a century.

A few of the new signings are obviously there as back-up utility players, and others, like the teenage goalkeeper Rais M'Bohli, may get nowhere near the first team for a year or two. But even discounting such cases, Hearts now have proper competition for places virtually throughout the side.

What is more, despite persistent rumours linking their star names with moves to other clubs, they have emerged from the transfer window without being forced to sell anyone. Those who presumed that Hearts would be forced to sell the likes of Paul Hartley, Rudi Skacel, Andy Webster or Craig Gordon either to England or the Old Firm have failed to come to terms with the new reality under Romanov - or indeed with the more widespread change in the balance of power away from Rangers and Celtic which was potently symbolised in Hibs' refusal to sell Derek Riordan for what they believed was a derisory sum.

There was, in fact, no need for Hearts to sell anyone, and the only departures were the release of the fringe players Neil MacFarlane and Stephen Simmons, and the loan of Graham Weir to Queen of the South. Saulius Mikoliunas has had his loan period from Kaunas extended, while Robbie Neilson is poised to emulate Jamie McAllister and agree a new contract to stay where he is - and get set for a fight to hold on to his place at right-back.

Perhaps the only downside of the whole situation is the loss of opportunity to young players. Lee Wallace, for example, came off the bench quite often last season to deputise at left-back, but has fallen down the pecking order now.

Such are the demands on them, however, that Rix and his assistants cannot afford to spend a couple of years carefully cultivating players of promise. There will be no bar to young Scots - the presence in the team of teenage striker Calum Elliot is proof of that - but there is no way the club can chase the dream of regular Champions League competition while running an on-pitch nursery.

This new Hearts squad, of course, is still very much in its infancy. Rix's task is to ensure it grows up fast.

Taken from the Scotsman