HEARTS PLAYERS COULD GO TO SPFA

Hearts players will consider asking the Scottish Professional Footballers' Association for help if they do not receive the answers they want from majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov in the coming days.

A squad delegation, led by captain Steven Pressley, will meet with the Lithuanian businessman after the Bank of Scotland Premier League visit of Aberdeen.

Hearts head coach Graham Rix is believed to have told players he was not picking the team ahead of the game at Dundee United on Tuesday.

A total of six changes were made to the side which beat Aberdeen 3-0 in the Tennent's Scottish Cup last week as Hearts drew 1-1 at Tannadice.

But, after the game, the players agreed to seek discussions with Romanov over the situation at Tynecastle and the Lithuanian has agreed to the request.

Romanov is expected to be at the Dons match, but Gordon admits the players will consider asking the union to intervene if they are not satisfied with his response to their concerns.

The Scotland international said: "If we do not get the answers, we will take it from there.

"We will take advice from whoever we can, whether it be the players' union, and we will see what happens.

"But we have not taken advice from the players' union yet. Personally, I am just trying to concentrate but, as a group, that is something to consider."

But Rix himself insists he will be picking the team for the visit of the Dons.

The former Chelsea coach has found himself at the centre of the media spotlight again this week.

But he maintains he will complete autonomy in the selection of the side to face Aberdeen at Tynecastle.

Rix said: "I fully expect to pick the team, yes.

"The main thing for us is to focus on the game, it's a massive game for the club - a tough one. We have a squad of 21 and they are all very keen to play

"Whatever happened - or was supposed to have happened - is gone now.

"My job is to get the team ready and focused for the Aberdeen game.

"It has been a tough week, of course, but I have had tougher weeks in my life I can assure you of that.

"Without a shadow of a doubt, Hearts and Graham Rix can move on from here.

"For me, it is gone, it is history and my main focus has been getting the boys physically, but more importantly, mentally right for the game."

Taken from sportinglife.com