Romanov: from hero to villain

ROB ROBERTSON March 23 2006

When Vladimir Romanov took over at Hearts, he was hailed as a hero. He promised to secure their future at Tynecastle, spend millions of pounds on new players and service the club's £20m debt. He delivered on all three pledges and whatever you think of the man, without him Hearts would have been heading into administration.

However, the power and the adulation from an adoring Hearts support went to his head and he felt he could do as he pleased.

First George Burley was sacked – despite the fact he won his first eight league games – closely followed by Phil Anderton, whose dismissal as chief executive led to the resignation of club chairman George Foulkes.

Just when you thought the twists had ended, Romanov appointed Graham Rix, convicted for underage sex, to work with a football team which had junior sides. On top of that, Jim Duffy, the former manager of Hibs, became director of football.

Through it all the Hearts supporters have tried their best to back Romanov but their patience is wearing thin. For many he is like the rich, childless uncle who cannot be upset in case he takes the huff and pulls his money away.

The problem with Romanov is that he is not publicly accountable. He lives in Lithuania and will not even become a member of the Hearts board until the summer despite the fact he is the power behind the throne.

Supporters of Rix always mention the fact that Hearts are six points ahead of Rangers in the race for second place in the Bank of Scotland Premierleague and have a Scottish Cup semi-final against Hibs to look forward to.

Romanov looks at things in a different way. He sincerely believes Hearts could have won the league this season and the statistic which interests him is the fact that the club are 14 points behind league leaders Celtic.

The turmoil at Tynecastle will hand the momentum in the race to finish second and secure a Champions League qualifying spot back to the Ibrox outfit. Making the Champions League would have brought in millions of pounds to the Tynecastle club and made them more attractive to foreign players.

Romanov may regret the day he upset the applecart.

Taken from the Herald