VLAD: RUDI WANTS TO QUIT HEARTS

HEARTS chief Vladimir Romanov last night revealed Rudi Skacel is desperate to quit the club and accused the midfielder of not performing in case he gets injured.

The club announced on Tuesday they had made Skacel's loan move from Marseille permanent and he would stay for a two more years.

But in an astonishing twist last night, Romanov admitted he only agreed a fee with the French outfit so he could cash in on Skacel by selling him to a club down south.

Now former manager George Burley's Southampton will test Hearts' resolve with a £1million bid over the next few days. In a radio interview, Romanov also blasted the parents of contract rebel Andy Webster and insisted the medical staff at Tynecastle were not hygienic.

He said: "Solicitors do the contracts but I spoke with Rudi to ask him why he wasn't playing and playing well.

"I asked why he was not scoring goals and why his performances are not as good as they used to be. He said he's thinking of moving to the Premiership.

"I told him to play and show his quality but he said he's afraid of being injured and breaking a leg.

"I asked him to play well because it would be good for both sides.We will get good money for him and Rudi will get a good contract wherever he wants.

"But it's not possible to speak with his agent because he wants money now.

"He's got his plans and he needs to play and score goals for us to get good money but if not, he's going nowhere."

Hearts will be quids in if they decide to cash in on their prized asset because he is likely to command a fee of at least £1m with Southampton likely to be the first bidders.

Skacel's camp fear Romanov, who insists Hearts are no longer a selling club, will hold on to the player when he may no longer be willing to commit to his grand plan.

Skacel said: "We must finish the season and then we will sit down with Mr Romanov and talk."

Agent Pavel Sika said: "We're not opposed to anything and there is some possibility Rudi will stay.

"However, it is not possible at this stage to say a deal has been done. Hearts have option rights but Rudi has not signed anything.

"We will wait until after the World Cup before deciding."

Romanov insisted agents were responsible for having want-away Webster placed on the transfer list after failing to agree a deal and, bizarrely, he also blamed the defender's parents.

He said: "I like Webster who's an excellent player and has been performing well with Steven Pressley in what is the best defence in Scotland.

"But unfortunately we have people called agents who distract players from the game and influence them in a negative way.

"The most negative reaction has been from their parents."

Romanov blasted the club's medical staff, claiming they do not wash their hands before medical procedures.

He said: "They don't take their rings and watches off. I'm now looking for a head doctor, an assistant and a team of specialists."

Taken from the Daily Record