Romanov ready to meet angry Hearts players

The Lithuanian millionaire flew back to his native country yesterday as his players considered the possibility of revolt. Steven Pressley, the captain, had refused to endorse the word “strike” when he spoke after Tuesday night’s draw with Dundee United which prompted doubts over the future of Graham Rix, the head coach, at the club, but the Hearts players held their own meeting yesterday morning before training and then demanded crisis talks with Romanov.

Speculation that Rix’s authority over team matters had been seized by Romanov heightened when Hearts appeared at Tannadice with six changes to the side that had won against Aberdeen just three days earlier in the Tennent’s Scottish Cup fourth round. The alterations were not effective: Paul Hartley scrambled a 1-1 draw with a disputed late penalty to stumble in their pursuit of the Bank of Scotland Premierleague title.

More importantly, two of Romanov’s recent 11-man signing spree during the January transfer window — the Czech pair of Martin Petras and Ludek Straceny — had ineffective debuts. Andy Webster, the Scotland defender, who was dropped after being an ever-present this season, has broken off negotiations over a new contract as a result.

It was Pressley’s job to quell the more rebellious elements of the Hearts dressing-room but the man who had spoken just 14 hours earlier of “no one being more important than the club” was trying to appear reasoned when he turned up at the club’s training ground at Riccarton yesterday lunchtime.

“We had discussions this morning and came to a unanimous decision that we will seek talks with Mr Romanov in order to resolve this situation,” Pressley said. Just two hours later, Hearts confirmed that Romanov is happy to meet with his captain. However, the club added that, “Mr Romanov is currently out of the country on business and is expected to return to Edinburgh in time for this Saturday’s Premierleague match against Aberdeen.”

Whether Romanov is hoping that the more important matter of winning a football match will distract Pressley’s group from all-out confrontation, or simply just hoping that time will defuse the situation, is not yet clear.

The Hearts players refused to comment yesterday when they arrived for training. Rix also turned up and took the session as normal but refused to answer questions about his future as he left the building, saying simply: “I am getting ready for a big match on Saturday and that is our priority.”

Later, Rix told Sky Sports News he would not be walking away. “No chance,” the head coach said. “I am not a quitter.

I have worked really hard since coming up and the performances we’ve had show what a together group we are. It is a great job and a great club and I have had worse moments in my life. I have been happy with the support big time. I have got to say a massive thank you to the 4,000 fans that were there (at Tannadice).”

Rix also revealed he will be speaking to Romanov, but was reluctant to disclose who was picking the team. “I don’t want to do that,” he added. “I can’t comment on that. I’ll have a meeting with Mr Romanov some time this week and we’ll discuss things.”

Sources inside the club claim that Rix had told the players on Tuesday morning that he had not picked the team for the Dundee United match. After the game, Pressley called the situation “confusing” but his carefully worded response to questions about whether Rix had chosen the side, indicated that the Hearts players were worried about the situation.

“It has been a very difficult day for the players,” he said at Tannadice. “We have had to endure a lot, time and time again at this club. I must stress we are 100 per cent behind our manager. He is a great coach and a lovely man and we are fully supportive of him.

“I don’t want to go into the finer details of what happened but I think everyone is aware of the events but what I will say is that I will meet with my fellow players and we will make a decision on our next move. It’s important that we are all together in this and any decision we make will be made as a team.

“The mood among the players now is of confusion. We are slightly confused about the whole situation and we sympathise with our manager and I’m sure you will see in days to come that some action will take place. There are a number of options. I don’t want to discuss them at this stage. We certainly hope that Graham remains as our manager and I hope he doesn’t walk away. Hopefully, we can find a peaceful solution to this and, as captain, that’s what I will be endeavouring to do.”

At the core of the issue is whether Romanov has strayed over the boundary into areas reserved for the coach of any team. The Lithuanian has long since avoided any pretence about the fact that he buys and signs players, which is why John Robertson and George Burley were sacked.

However, the recent acquisition of 11 more new players has swollen Hearts squad to 35 and given Rix selection problems. Romanov now appears unwilling to leave even that last detail to the former England international, stating yesterday: “I want every new player to prove they are worth the money we spent on them.”

Tynecastle supporters are bemused, yet again, about events at their club in a season in which they have lost a manager (Burley), a chairman (George Foulkes) and a chief executive (Phil Anderson), all sacked by Romanov.

Despite the confusion, Rix said he was still loving his job. “I have a good situation and a great set of lads who have shown great professionalism,” he said. “I am not worrying about anything. I love it and I am being professional. The support has been very good and I am pleased to have it. The players have been fantastic for me. I am a cool guy and I am happy.”

SPITTING ROW

RUDI SKACEL, the Heart of Midlothian midfield player, has been accused of spitting at Stuart Duff, the Dundee United defender, during the second half of the 1-1 draw at Tannadice on Tuesday. The incident was missed by Dougie McDonald, the referee, but Duff insisted after the game he had been spat at by the Czech international.

Taken from timesonline.co.uk