HOTLINE

HEARTS owner Vladimir Romanov has this season financed a club capable of splitting the Old Firm.

But when it comes to wind-ups, the Lithuanian banker is in a league of his own.

Romanov reckons he might give the Edinburgh derby a miss this weekend because he doesn't want to watch his players run the risk of being crippled.

Unsurprisingly, Hibs fans queued up to condemn his remarks ahead of the game at Easter Road.

Steven McDonald, Edinburgh, said: "Vladimir Romanov is threatening to stay away from the derby because he fears we'll cripple his players. Scott Brown is still out of the game because of a broken leg he sustained against Hearts.

"They have dived their way through the whole campaign. Romanov's got a bloody cheek."

Tam Hansborough, Edinburgh, said: "The only bad injury there has been in Edinburgh derbies this season was the broken leg suffered by Scott Brown.

"Romanov's use of the word cripple is offensive and I'm angry with his statements,

"He has no need to play mind games before Saturday's game because Hearts have been better than us this season anyway."

Willie Crawford, Carntyne, Glasgow, said: "Romanov's being a bit paranoid with his latest statements. Goodness, Hearts won the Scottish Cup semi-final 4-0 - the third time this season they have scored four goals against Hibs.

"He's living in cloud cuckoo land if he thinks his players could be booted off the park."

Hotline caller Ruby Arnott has incurred the wrath of Rangers fans after claiming there were no offensive songs sung at Parkhead on Sunday.

Andy Robertson, Knightswood, Glasgow, said: "We have problems at Rangers but to listen to Celtic fans you would think butter wouldn't melt in their mouths.

"Ruby Arnott said she didn't hear a single offensive song at Parkhead on Sunday but listening on television I could clearly hear references to Rangers fans as 'animals'."

Bill Prentice, Livingston, said: "Ruby Arnott is well out of order. Celtic have an anthem that refers to Rangers fans as 'animals'. What's squeaky clean about that?'

Edward Henderson, Possilpark, Glasgow, said: "Celtic fans seem to think they're above criticism but they've got short memories. I still remember the abuse Ian Ferguson took when he played for Dunfermline and Hugh Dallas has also suffered, on and off the park.

"It cuts both ways and Rangers fans aren't being given a fair hearing."

Stilian Petrov is in the huff after a row with Gordon Strachan at half-time in the game with Hibs but it cuts no ice with one Hoops fan.

Alex Cameron, Erskine, said: "I never for a moment thought Petrov suffered from the petted-lip syndrome. These players are earning massive money and should leave their managers to manage. There's not one of them can't be replaced."

On to other matters and a long-serving junior star was honoured at the weekend - though how St Mirren got up a team to play less than 24 hours after celebrating their First Division title win is anyone's guess.

Danny Irvine, Glasgow, said: "Renfrew star Neil Farquharson had his testimonial against a St Mirren XI at Western Park on Sunday. Thanks go to Billy, Mick and George for making the day such a success."

Finally, old grump Davie Archibald, Milton, Glasgow, has a bone to pick with Scottish Television.

He said: "We should talk up Scottish football so it gets my goat every week when Scotsport offer up as a star prize in their competition the chance to win tickets to a game in England.

"There are still plenty of games up here we'd happily win the chance to watch."

Real good quote of the day

'Scott Brown is out with a borken leg he sustained against Hearts who have dived their way through the whole campaign. Vladimir Romanov has a cheek'

Taken from the Daily Record