Supporters to reserve judgment until summer

HEARTS fans have decided to keep their powder dry until they see how the season pans out, according to Derek Watson of the Hearts Supporters' Trust.

"At the time of the announcement, I think there was a bit of anxiety but now that we have had time to reflect on it, there are a lot of fans who are quite pleased. I don't think we were convinced we were going anywhere under Graham Rix and with nine games left maybe the time was right.

"We won't have proof that it was the right decision until the end of the season."

He added that, while some may have been surprised at the timing, the comments made by chairman Roman Romanov last week, when he refused to give the manager long-term backing, had made the situation untenable. "Roman Romanov said that second in the league and the cup might not be enough and that put Rix under more pressure. Results in the past few weeks haven't been good enough as it is and that would have put even more pressure on the manager so, on reflection, maybe he had to go now."

Watson dismissed suggestions that fans were too scared to openly criticise Romanov for fear that the Lithuanian owner would leave the club but said that the time was not right to start protesting. "I think that everybody accepts that because of the problems we went through with Tynecastle nearly being sold, that we need to give him time. We are not frightened to speak out against him but we believe that he wants the best for the club and we are happy, at the moment, to let him get on with it. The guy is the one who put the money in and we just need to hope that it works out. But, at the moment, Hearts fans have not started to demand answers."

But, like the majority of the Gorgie club's supporters, Watson believes that situation could change if Romanov adds credence to the claims that he has, on several occasions, demanded midfielder Julien Brellier be dropped from the first team.

"That could make a difference. Brellier is a fans' favourite and he does a valuable job in the team. I think we can all see that."

All except Romanov. Two managers have now tried and failed to convince him. Perhaps the fans will hold more sway.

Taken from the Scotsman