FOULKES SO GLAD FOR VLAD

GEORGE FOULKES last night switched from panning Vladimir Romanov to praising him.

Foulkes fell out with the Tynecastle Tsar and resigned as Hearts chairman last October after the dismissal of chief executive Phil Anderton.

But he believes club owner Romanov's ruthless methods have led to the Jambos' qualification for the Champions League.

Foulkes, who is still a season ticket-holder at Tynecastle, said: "I disagreed with Vladimir's management style and the way he handled people.

"But he has proved that ruthlessness can breed success and every Hearts supporter will be delighted whether they agree with his methods or not.

"To be fair to Vladimir, he always said Hearts could split the Old Firm and he has now done that.

"I received stick when I said it would be a two-horse race for the title between Celtic and ourselves and if George Burley had remained it would have been a two-horse race.

"I'm delighted we will be in the Champions League, I'm over the moon, all the football cliches you can think of.

"It will be one of our best seasons if we win the Scottish Cup, certainly the greatest since I've been a supporter."

Taken from the Daily Record