Vlad bids to beat revolt
BARRY ANDERSON

HEARTS Vladimir Romanov was in a secret location in Edinburgh today awaiting contact from his players regarding their futures at the club.

The first-team squad met this morning at their Riccarton base to discuss the way forward after allegations that Romanov picked the team ahead of head coach Graham Rix for last night's match against Dundee United at Tannadice.

Romanov was due to jet out of the Capital this evening by which time he expected some dialogue with Hearts skipper Pressley.

It is believed Romanov was willing to meet the players to discuss the current crisis at the club before leaving the country tonight.

The players refused to comment as they arrived at Riccarton but it was clear a showdown with the club owner was on their minds.

Romanov can also expect to have to counter a stern attempt by Rangers to prise defender Andy Webster from Tynecastle after the player was dropped from the team for last night's match and subsequently broke off his contract discussions with the Hearts board.

Webster's Hearts deal expires in the summer of 2007 but the player's agent has already stated that he will not be staying in Edinburgh. "The contract talks with Hearts have been terminated with immediate effect and will not be resumed in the future," said Charles Duddy.

It all leaves Hearts on the brink of implosion after a turbulent season off the pitch with managerial and boardroom sackings. The players remain firmly behind Rix, with captain Pressley desperate to quell the infighting whilst threatening that action of some sort could be taken by the squad.

"I am hopeful as captain that I can find a peaceful solution for us all," said Pressley last night. "We are fully supportive of Graham Rix and it is important that we maintain our spirit. Any moves we make we will do so together."

Meanwhile, in further bad news for Hearts, former chief executive Phil Anderton will press ahead with filing a lawsuit against the club after discussions on a compensation settlement broke down. Anderton is understood to be seeking around £120,000 from the club after being sacked from his job last year.

Hearts had offered a settlement and gave their lawyers permission to conclude the compensation package last week. The papers were signed by Anderton but Hearts have since revealed to Anderton's lawyers that they are not sure whether they will proceed with the compensation agreement, giving no timescale for their deliberations. Anderton is understood to be enraged and will meet his lawyers later this week to initiate court proceedings.

A source close to Anderton told the Evening News: "Phil feels like he has been strung along to keep him quiet. This process has cost him thousands in legal fees.

"But now Phil and his lawyers will go after Hearts, and if need be he'll reveal everything in court. Despite Phil being due compensation as per the terms of his contract, and Hearts' lawyers themselves admitting that there were no valid grounds for his sacking, they are not paying out."

Taken from the Scotsman