DON'T TAG ME A YES MAN
By Euan Mclean

DEFIANT Jim Duffy last night insisted he won't be a "yes man" to Vladimir Romanov and claimed he might not even TELL head coach Graham Rix if the Jambos owner tries to interfere in team selection.

The Hearts director of football reckons Romanov didn't appoint him as a puppet and believes he will act as a vital buffer to take the heat off team boss Rix.

Yet Duff admitted that with both himself and close pal Rix only on contracts until the end of the season their jobs aren't guaranteed - even if they win the Scottish Cup and a place in the Champions League.

He said: "You need to be respectful of the owner but if everyone just nodded every time he spoke then what's the point in having the job?

"Sometimes I will nod my head, sometimes I will shake it. Sometimes I will grit my teeth and on other occasions just smile.

"But if I feel strongly I won't just sit there and nod every time someone else speaks. I don't have a problem with who Mr Romanov wants in the team.

"I've experienced it at other clubs with forthright opinions coming from some directors. I just view that as a strong opinion and that's fine.

"I've had directors who have signed players even though I might not have agreed 100 per cent. But if they want to pay for it fine.

"Someone can voice their opinion but team selection is the manager's decision. As far as I'm concerned Graham has the final choice.

"Mr Romanov may well say to me I think Rudi Skacel should play. I would say that's fine' if I agree with it or we might have a difference of opinion and discuss it.

"I would go back to Graham and I might tell him or I might NOT - it depends on whether it was an open discussion or a strong opinion.

"But the bottom line is Graham will pick the team."

Duffy is still feeling his way into the new directorial role but his comments are a clear indication he will not stand for more boardroom meddling in Rix's team affairs.

A sentiment that goes as much for his own input as Romanov's when it comes to advising the head coach.

He claims Rix has found his smile again since Duffy's installation brought the stability of their friendship into a working environment that has at times threatened to descend into chaos.

But it's the numerous twists and turns at Tynecastle - such as the sacking of Rix's predecessor George Burley - that has taught Duffy not to discount the threat that THEY could suffer the same fate.

He said: "I don't make any decisions thinking I might get the sack. I make them because I think they are right.

"Mr Romanov probably is impulsive and probably has a ruthless streak but I don't have a problem with that. I don't think my future will be decided on how we end the season.

"I'm not guaranteed the job even if we finish in a Champions League position and win the Scottish Cup.

"This isn't any other club. Mr Romanov owns Hearts and has his own thoughts on how things should be done.

"He might decide there is someone better out there - he might want someone else to come in and take the club through the Champions League. A top-class guy from Europe could appear.

"I've been given a chance here. I'm trying to enjoy it and wouldn't ask for guarantees.

"If Graham and I do well there's the possibility the contracts will be lengthened.

"We work well together. He smiles a bit more now and looks a lot more relaxed.

"I can socialise with him and that helps. We can go for lunch or dinner but previously he was doing that alone.

"Even if we're just having nonsense conversations it helps relax the atmosphere.

"But I'm not here just to lift him - he does it for me too. Graham's a Yorkshire guy with a sense of humour and a working-class mentality.

Duffy will take his place beside Rix in the Almondvale dug-out this afternoon to face Livingston hoping for better luck than his last visit.

His Dundee side were relegated there on the final day of last season and the pain still cuts deep.

Duffy said: "My memories of Almondvale are of the huge Dundee support and Tam McManus hitting the post in the 91st minute.

"It was such a sad day and we were within an inch or two of surviving.

"It has been quite a journey since then. Now I'm back in and it has been great."

Taken from the Sunday Mail