TYNECASTLE IN TURMOIL... AGAIN But only as a joiner so I can change the locks to keep Romanov out
Jim McLean

IT IS time for Vladimir Romanov to complete his season's spending at Tynecastle and buy the final piece of his Jambos jigsaw - abloody manager's tracksuit for himself.

Mind you, even if he did pull it on and go to work with the players I'm sure he'd still find someone else to blame if it all went belly up.

Honestly, I'm running out of words to express how farcical the managerial situation at his club has become and I'd laugh out loud if it wasn't so serious.

I don't know Graham Rix, but four months and 19 games isno time at all for a manager to be given to prove his worth.

I do know Jim Duffy and there is no more honest man in the Scottish game, but he hadn't even taken his jacket off and has now been ditched as director of football.

I feel sad for the supporters of Hearts who are decent people but are now forced to look on as Romanov's stewardship of their club has seen three managers dismissed in less than a year.

I'm thinking of offering them my services, not in a managerial capacity, but in my former role as a joiner.

I'd quite happily dig out my tools and change the locks on the doors at Riccarton to keep Romanov away from the first-team dressing room and coaches' offices.

The situation at Hearts is crazy, absolutely crazy. I was involved in professional football for almost 50 years and never came across anyone like Romanov and hopefully it will be another five decades before another of his ilk crosses our doorstep again.

One half of Edinburgh must be laughing their heads off at the moment and that's the green and white side from Leith.

Romanov must have a Hibs scarf tucked inside his pocket because he is bringing far more enthusiasm to their support at the moment than he is his own fans, who must be spiralling towards depression.

Spare a thought too for the Hearts players who have just watched their major investor jeopardise their chances of success in the SPL and Scottish Cup this season with his latest actions at such a crucial stage of the campaign.

The players must be shaking their heads in disbelief at the latest controversy, especially the Scottish contingent who will, until Romanov's arrival, have been less used to these comings and goings than their foreign team-mates.

Steven Pressley is a magnificent professional. The Hearts captain is not the most gifted player in the world but gives his team 100 per cent every time he pulls on the jersey.

But he must be pulling his hair out in frustration and it would not surprise me if he and other players at the club are now planning to follow the example of AndyWebster and seek an exit route from Tynecastle.

It's just as well Scotland are not in the World Cup finals this summer because the backbone of Walter Smith's side come from Hearts and there's no way they would be properly focused with so much going on at club level.

It is vital for any side to have stability if it is to enjoy success but it is in short supply at Tynecastle when the club needs it most.

They are in a strong position in the SPL with a Champions League qualification spot up for grabs and a Scottish Cup semi-final looming against Hibs next week, but I fear Romanov has compromised their ability to complete the job.

I don't think there will be great confidence in the set-up he has put in place at Tynecastle among players and other staff members and I have genuine concerns for the long-term security of the club, though I hope I'm wrong for the sake of the fans.

How the hell can Romanov ask them to fork out for season tickets in the summer when so many changes seem to take place by the month?

If he doesn't learn to support his managers or live by the old maxim that if it isn't broke don't fix it, he'd be as well selling tickets in four-weekly instalments.

Even more importantly, how can he hope to attract a top-class manager to the club when he hires and fires at will and his promises appear to mean nothing?

The main man at any football club must be the manager and only he can be allowed to dictate signings, tactics and team selection.

I now fear for the quality of candidate Hearts will attract after losing three managers in less than a year, including the excellent George Burley who should never have been allowed to leave in the first place.

No manager with any confidence in his own ability will go near the job because all coaches need time and it is clearly not on offer at Hearts.

Furthermore, all managers with any pride will steer clear of the club because of the reputation Romanov has built for himself within the game.

The only managers interested in the Hearts job will be those who have been out of work for a while and absolutely desperate to get back in the game, but they should be warned this post comes with little job security.

I started off in jest about the Lithuanian tycoon pulling on the tracksuit and taking the team himself, but in the Romanov regime it's becoming clear we should always expect the unexpected.

Neil Lennon's behaviour during the CIS Cup Final was insulting with a capital "I".

Celtic players are among the highest earners around and there was no need for him to flaunt his wealth at young Dunfermline defender Greg Ross.

It does not befit the captain of Celtic to be looking down his nose at players from smaller clubs with smaller incomes.

When you are part of a winning side - and Celtic are mostly winning - you don't need to brag because results speak louder than words ever can.

Lennon could be an outstanding player but there are as many minuses against his name as positives and his latest comments were truly idiotic. In saying all that, I'd love to see him in a midfield battle with Romanov. That really would make for brilliant entertainment.

As told to Gary Ralston

'The situation is crazy, absolutely crazy'

Taken from the Daily Record