I'LL FORGIVE V LAD IF HE LANDS SCOTTISH CUP AND A POT IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

FORMER Hearts chairman George Foulkes is ready to kiss and make up with Vladimir Romanov if the club's controversial owner delivers the Scottish Cup and Champions League football.

Lord Foulkes quit his post in October in protest at the sacking of then chief executive Phil Anderton, branding Romanov a dictator.

But the former MP admits he will be one of the first to congratulate the Lithuanian if Hearts succeed in the cup and secure their place among Europe's elite.

Foulkes said: "When the final whistle sounds on this season of change, we should pay thanks to all those who have played their part, past and present.

"And if we hold aloft the Scottish Cup in the knowledge that we too will be playing in the Champions League, I will be among the first to seek out Mr Romanov and shake him by the hand."

Foulkes has been reluctant to speak publicly about Romanov following his split from the club but he admits the recent death of former chairman Wallace Mercer has put everything into perspective.

Speaking in his column in new supporters magazine, Hearts Planet, he said: "My very public departure from office came at a time when passions ran high at the club, ideals clashed, and friendships came to the fore. To this day I don't regret my actions, I did what I thought was right. And as painful as it was then, I have learned that time is a great healer.

"I bear no grudges to anyone involved as life is too short.

"A simple glance at the empty chair and missing the laughter of Wallace Mercer reminds me of that."

Hearts striker Roman Bednar insists the fact the players are disappointed with a draw against Rangers shows how much they have progressed this season.

The Tynecastle club kept their six-point lead over the reigning champions intact on Sunday as the clash ended 1-1.

Hearts remain firmly in the driving seat to land the second Champions League berth and divide the Old Firm with the SPL split looming.

And the Czech marksman, who lined up in attack alongside goal scorer Edgar Jankauskas on Sunday, admits being disappointed in only picking up a point against Rangers emphasises their ambition.

He said: "The impetus is still very much with us in terms of the Champions League.

"The gap is six points, so whose position would you rather be in?

"We are fully confident and we are disappointed not to have won, which I think shows you how far we've come because a year or two ago a draw with one of the Old Firm at home would have been looked upon as a very positive result.

"But now we are disappointed at not taking all three points and that's a credit to the players and everyone at the club for helping to take us forward."

Speaking to the official Hearts website, the highly-rated Bednar, who scored the winner between the two sides the last time they locked horns at Tynecastle, admits he also wasn't overly impressed with referee Craig Thomson's performance.

Bednar has already clashed with Thomson this season after the official showed him a second yellow for diving in their recent Scottish Cup match against Partick.

Winger Rudi Skacel has already voiced his angered over the referee's handling of the game, accusing him of favouring Rangers.

Bednar added: "The referee is only a man at the end of the day.

"There were a few occasions where decisions went against me but I thought maybe it should have been against the Rangers player, but that's football I suppose.

Taken from the Daily Record