GORGIE GURU

Exclusive Vlad's new-age therapist in team selection riddle
By Gary Ralston

HEARTS were thrown into fresh chaos last night amid claims a new-age therapist is influencing team affairs at Tynecastle.

A Lithuanian mystery woman - known only as Rima - has been instructed to work on some bizarre treatments with the players at their Riccarton base.

Several Hearts team selections have caused controversy, most recently last weekend's derby defeat at Easter Road when contract row star Andy Webster and striker Edgaras Jankauskas were left out.

Incredibly, a cornerstone of Rima's beliefs is the use of golden sticks, which she taps on certain parts of the body before declaring if players are fit to play.

The future of Jambos' head physio Ollie Finlay has now been plunged into doubt by the presence of the therapist and other Lithuanian medical staff at the club.

The latest controversy to hit the Jambos comes just 24 hours after Scotland defender Andy Webster was slapped on the transfer list and told by Vladimir Romanov, left, he could not be trusted.

It's believed the Scottish medical team have grown increasingly unhappy at the eastern European invasion behind the scenes.

Finlay declined to comment and Hearts denied he has been sacked less than a season after replacing Alan Rae.

A spokeswoman said: "Ollie Finlay is still an employee of the club."

Asked about the influence of Rima, she added: "We don't discuss the private services offered to our players."

It's believed Finlay will have showdown talks with club bosses today.

Insiders say Rima speaks little or no English but claims to be a qualified doctor in Lithuania. Insiders claim Romanov is interested in a holistic approach to fitness which covers all aspects of physical and mental well-being.

However, the British players in the squad want little to do with her or her methods, preferring more orthodox medical techniques.