VLADIMIR ROMANOV last night admitted Hearts' 4-0 rout of Hibs left him "feeling gorgeous".

The gushing Tynecastle owner then claimed Jambos fans were worth more than all of Russia's oil and gas reserves.

Romanov watched with delight as Hearts trounced their Edinburgh rivals at Hampden to set up a Scottish Cup Final clash with Gretna on May 13.

Midfielder Paul Hartley hit a glorious hat-trick, with Edgaras Jankauskas netting the other.

Hibs had Ivan Sproule and Gary Smith sent off as the club's Scottish Cup hoodoo continued.

Romanov warned the Old Firm his Gorgie revolution is beginning to take shape but reserved his greatest praise for the 22,500 travelling Hearts fans.

He said: "Our fans are the golden supporters of Scotland and I appreciate them much more than all the oil and gas reserves of Russia.

"They watched beautiful football today and I saw my team play the football I have always dreamed of watching.

"I feel gorgeous because the football was gorgeous as the two teams showed Scotland they can play the game.

"Glasgow has been the football capital of this country in the past but I'll do my best to ensure Edinburgh takes over that crown.

"We're just taking our first steps towards achieving our ambitions but I hope to repeat Glasgow's success in the world of football in Edinburgh. The dream is just starting to come true."

Romanov revealed he had an inkling it would be Hartley's day as he scored the first hattrick of his career, taking his tally for the season against his former club to six.

But the win came at a cost for Hearts. They will be without skipper Steven Pressley and full-back Jose Goncalves for Wednesday's SPL crunch at Celtic after both suffered serious head knocks and were replaced.

Romanov said: "I spoke to a lot of people before the game and said it could be Paul's day but I could never have imagined he would score a hat-trick."

Romanov sat in the same row of the Hampden South Stand as SFA chief executive David Taylor and president John McBeth and admitted the administrators got it right by insisting the game be played in Glasgow, rather than at Murray field.

He said: "Originally, I did not feel it was the correct decision but I've changed my mind.

"It was the right choice and the hour or so it took to travel allowed the fans from both clubs to show even greater solidarity with their teams.

"I liked the way Hibs played - they played well but have lost important players such as Garry O'Connor."

Romanov now admits he would love a get together with Gretna chief Brook Mileson as soon as possible to swap goals and dreams.

He added: "I've met Brooks once, at a dinner at the end of last season, but I want to see him again before the final.

"It's important for me to see the kind of team he will take to the final and the type of football he likes to see.

Maybe we can even compare ourselves with each other."

Taken from the Daily Record