Rix future in the balance

GRAHAM Rix sat his Hearts squad down at Riccarton yesterday morning to announce the team prior to their coach journey to Tannadice.

After reading out the names of the first 11, followed by the substitutes, the head coach informed his squad that anyone who opposed any of the selections should not seek reasons from him. Instead, they should consult Vladimir Romanov.

It is understood that Scotland defender Andy Webster instantly queried his demotion to the substitutes' bench as one of an astonishing six changes from the side who defeated Aberdeen 3-0 in the Scottish Cup on Saturday.

The explanation given was unfulfilling, and as such contract talks between the player and Hearts have now been permanently terminated after Webster remained an unused substitute last night as Romanov's side scrambled a 1-1 draw against Dundee United by virtue of a hotly-contested late penalty.

The official reasons given for dropping Webster and Neilson was that they required rest, just as Greek defender Takis Fyssas and Czech midfielder Rudi Skacel were rested for the Aberdeen match at the request of Romanov, although it was claimed officially by Rix that both had flu.

In addition, the £2million quartet of Mirsad Beslija, Jose Goncalves, Juho Makela and Lee Johnson were told not to travel to Dundee as there would be no place for them in the match squad with Romanov clearly favouring a policy of extensive squad rotation.

Regardless of his methods, there is ultimately no escaping the notion that confirmation has now arrived of what we had been suspecting all season. Vladimir Romanov picks the Hearts team.

We have had to endure a lot time and time again as players at this club, but we have a great coach - Steven Pressley

Consequently, the future for Rix remains shrouded in uncertainty with his position having become virtually untenable with his private concession to the players that he no longer has control over team selection.

But has it ever been any other way at Hearts under Romanov? Well, yes. But not without strong opposition from the Lithuanian banker during what has become the most uproarious season in Hearts' 132-year history.

The Evening News has learned of an attempt by a Lithuanian director at Hearts, understood to be acting on orders from Romanov, to oust fans' favourite Rudi Skacel from the side earlier this season.

Said director reasoned that the Czech, who has scored 16 goals in the current campaign, was not a good enough player for the side and that Saulius Mikoliunas, the Lithuanian winger, was a more viable option in midfield.

We have also been informed of details of a telephone conversation between Romanov and former manager George Burley as the pair's relationship began to dissolve earlier this season. With Romanov demanding to know why Burley was not playing another Lithuanian, Deividas Cesnauskis, Burley replied: "Because I don't think he is good enough for the team."

Romanov then retorted: "He must be played, because how will we get our value for him when we come to sell him?" Burley stood his ground, reasoning that his only interest was to pick teams capable of winning matches for Hearts.

Sources close to Burley detail the intensity of the pressure placed upon the Scot by his employer, the same kind that will already have prompted Rix to debate the tenability of his position as head coach following yesterday's events.

One said: "Every time Romanov met George or anyone from Hearts he would be asking, 'Why are we playing Julien Brellier? He must be dropped, he must be sold, we must get rid of Brellier'. There was enormous pressure on George to alter his team selection."

Romanov even intervened to devastating effect during an interview with Italian coach Claudio Ranieri, who the club hoped would agree to become their new manager after the Lithuanian banker sacked Burley.

Producing a notepad, Romanov questioned the former Chelsea manager: "What are you going to do about Brellier?" On the paper, he detailed a team formation and continued: "I only give Brellier three out of ten, so what I propose we do is bring in another player to play right next to him, and if he gives us three out of ten we will have the sum of one six-out-of-ten player. What are you going to do Mr Ranieri to compensate for that throughout the rest of the team?"

It was soon after that negotiations broke down with former Chelsea, Valencia and Fiorentina coach Ranieri and Romanov went to Rix with the offer of being the new head coach. Today, the Englishman's relationship with his paymaster appears to have reached breaking point, with players threatening to turn in anger against Romanov.

"We are 100 per cent behind our manager," said captain Steven Pressley, who gathered his colleagues at Riccarton this morning to discuss their next move and demand a meeting with Romanov.

"We have had to endure a lot time and time again as players at this club, but we have a great coach who is a lovely man and we are fully supportive of him. I think it's important that we are all together on this. I have spoken about the unity we have within the dressing room, so any moves that we do make will be as a team. It's important to remember that this is about us as a club. It's not about any one person."

Rix, courageously, engaged in an act of cheeky defiance in front of Romanov at Tannadice last night. He replaced both debutants, Martin Petras and Ludek Straceny, in the second half against United as the club owner looked on for the stand.

Afterwards, Rix also intimated publicly that he will continue to work in preparation for Aberdeen's return to Gorgie this weekend in the league despite the loss of dignity that Romanov's interference has brought.

"I will be in for work preparing for the Aberdeen game this weekend as normal," said Rix. "I'm not going to comment on who picked the side but I think we played well and showed a great professionalism to get the point we deserved." The statement conveyed his own point, that he will endeavour to do his job as best as possible whilst encountering instructions from above his head.

Some players were dropped, or "rested" last night, some were told not to travel, but perhaps the one who best demonstrates evidence of Romanov's dealings in team affairs never stood any chance of participation in Dundee.

Ibrahim Tall remains on a £10,000 a week, three-year contract with Hearts and has yet to play a first-team game.

Taken from the Scotsman