CALDERWOOD REVEALS SNOYL TIP-OFF

By Ronnie Esplin, PA Sport

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood revealed his son had recommended Ferne Snoyl after the Dutchman had turned the game in the Dons' favour when he came on in the closing stages of their 2-1 win over Hearts in the Bank Of Scotland Premier League at Tynecastle.

The 20-year-old, who is on loan from Feyenoord until the end of the season, was making his third appearance for the Pittodrie men.

Calderwood said: "I got put in touch with him by an agent friend of mine, who is now a very good friend of mine.

"My son also tipped me off about him but I said to the agent if he wasn't any good then he would be going back.

"He took a wage cut to come here and I have to thank Ronald Koeman and Wim Jansen for allowing him to come. "

Hearts head coach Graham Rix revealed he had a "good chat" with majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov about the turmoil which has enveloped Tynecastle this week.
Before the midweek Bank of Scotland Premier League match against Dundee United at Tannadice, Rix was reported to have told his players that the Lithuanian businessman had picked the team.

The Gorgie side indeed showed six changes from their previous match and, after a 1-1 draw, a delegation of Hearts' players led by skipper Steven Pressley asked to meet Romanov in what was seen as a show of solidarity with their head coach.

The players met with Romanov and his son Roman Romanov after the 2-1 defeat by Aberdeen at Tynecastle and afterwards a club spokesperson said: "We had a meeting and have found a solution to the issues raised this week.

"We feel the result will be positive for the club. All other matters will be kept within the club."

Rix also claimed his meeting with Mr Romanov had gone well. He said: "I picked the team, I made the substitutions and I accept full responsibility.

"We can't use what has gone on this week as an excuse. I met Vladimir on Friday night briefly and I had a good chat with him.

"It was a good meeting and he didn't try to interfere with my team for this game.

"I won't discuss what we spoke about but we never really talked about this situation to be honest.

"I'm confident I will be here next week and I'm comfortable with my own position, it's not a problem for me.

"The players have asked for a meeting but it's nothing to do with me but I haven't got a problem with it.

"I don't think my credibility is in doubt at all."

However, asked whether he had picked a team to play against United during the week Rix said: "I'm not going to answer that."

Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon admitted the Tynecastle squad was less than unified as they sought answers from Romanov.

The Lithuanian has brought nine players on loan from FC Kaunas, the side he has a financial interest in back in his homeland.

The Scotland keeper said: "It's obviously difficult for some people in certain situations who don't want to upset the apple cart.

"They may not want to make the situation worse."

Gordon did not believe the defeat by Aberdeen, which left the Tynecastle side still 10 points behind leaders Celtic in the SPL, was too damaging.

He said: "I don't think the season will disintegrate.

"We have enough good players to bounce back and we will still be in second place after this weekend.

"We haven't conceded the title but we have made things more difficult."

Taken from sportinglife.com