NEALE COOPER knows exactly what it takes to wreck the Old Firm's domination of Scottish football - and reckons he saw it last Wednesday at Tynecastle.

Cooper was a vital cog in Alex Ferguson's legendary Aberdeen side who swept Rangers and Celtic aside in the early 80s to become THE Scottish team of their generation.

While watching the Jambos seal their Champions League destiny against the Dons, he admits he got a tingle down his spine and a feeling of things to come that he hadn't had in 25 years.

Hearts only just managed to split the top two for the first time in 11 years but former Ross County and Hartlepool boss Cooper believes they have the belief to climb above both of them.

He said: "I think it's fantastic what Hearts have achieved this season. I know from experience how difficult it is to split the Old Firm. The players will be ecstatic now they've done it.

"That's the first I've seen Hearts play this season. I'd been told they had a good presence about them but I was shocked at how big and strong they are. They look a good, solid team to me.

"And when the Champions League music came on at the final whistle a wee tingle went down my spine."

Despite claims that the Jambos don't have the strength to make it to the group stages, Cooper insists they have nothing to fear in Europe - OR from the Old Firm.

He said: "We had it drilled into us by Alex Ferguson. At the time Aberdeen and Dundee United were strong, at home and in Europe. It's pleasing to see Hearts come in and do the same to split the Old Firm.

"Once you've done it once, it breeds a belief that you can do it again and have nothing to fear.

"From what I've seen of Rangers and Celtic, this Hearts team look good and strong. They have quality in depth on the bench. And you need that.

"Now that they have Champions' League football to offer they'll bring in even more quality people.

"They look ready to try to break this Old Firm dynasty as Aberdeen and Dundee United did in the 80s."

Cooper was at the heart of some sensational Pittodrie nights in Europe as Fergie's side stunned the football world with their run to the Cup Winners' Cup triumph in 1983.

But Cooper reckons the atmosphere he felt on Wednesday matched any of them - and insists Hearts would be mugs to switch any Champions League clash to Murrayfield.

He said: "I've never experienced an atmosphere like that. It was fantastic.

"I would pull out all the stops to get European matches played here rather than Murrayfield. They might get the same intensity at Murrayfield if they fill it but I doubt it.

"It reminded me of amazing nights at Pittodrie - like the Cup Winners' Cup tie against Bayern Munich when the atmosphere was great.

"But with fans so close to the action at Tynecastle, it's really intimidating."

Cooper also reckons Wednesday night's celebrations should put an end to the sniping at Hearts supremo Vladimir Romanov.

He said: "I was sitting in front of him and his son and at one stage he landed on top of me! He was as committed as any player - as I discovered!

"All credit to him. It has been a long, hard season for him and he's taken a lot of stick for what has happened.

"But he's come through it and has delivered Champions League qualification. Whether the stick has been right or wrong, he has taken them to the Champions' League.

"To the fans here he's GOD! That's how it sounded to me anyway.

"Thinking back, I can't imagine the Dons fans singing "Richard Donaldio" to that tune they sing here!

"Instead of milking it Dick would be saying, 'Switch the lights off quickly and get them out!' He'd be looking to save a bit of money."

Cooper also saw enough to convince him Hearts don't need another new boss there in the summer.

He said: "What's wrong with the lad who's there, Valdas Ivanauskas? I saw the respect the players showed him.

"They seem to like him, he seems to like them and he can get results out of them so why change it?"

But Hearts got a warning from Shaun McSkimming that their greatest test will come next season.

McSkimming was part of the Mother well team who last separated the Old Firm.

But they had a disastrous campaign the following season and battled relegation.

That's why he believes the Jambos will struggle to repeat their achievement. McSkimming said: "We had high hopes the season after finishing second but it didn't quite go to plan.

"We went out of Europe at the first hurdle to Mypa 47 and didn't recover.

"Everyone raised their game against us as they saw it as an opportunity to knock us down.

"Hearts have done well but will find it a lot harder and to finish second next season would be a great achievement." to happen as soon as possible but we will probably play next season at Tynecastle.

"If we think we can knock down the main stand in March we will. But I think it will be the end of next season.

"It's a big investment but there is no point building a stadium without having the right team to fill it. Redevelopments won't affect what is spent on the squad."

And it's looking more certain that the job of identifying the stars needed to strengthen the side will be down to stand-in boss Valdas Ivanauskas.

Despite expressing initial doubts that he could hold the job permanently, Romanov admits the Lithuanian WILL be at the helm when the players return from their summer holidays.

He said: "Valdas will be in charge for pre-season. No announcement will be made. He's just doing his job.

"He will take a rest after the Cup Final and be back to work for the pre-season. We're happy with him.

"The players all like him and he gives everything to the club.

"He's emotional sometimes and needs to be held back but that passion is good. And Valdas has done superbly under some intense pressure.

"He has won six out of eight games and when the team lost to Celtic at Parkhead we pushed them to the limit.

"I never saw Celtic look so hopeless in a game as they did at Tynecastle.

"His results compare with George Burley's especially since there was no pressure on Burley at the start.

"He also made some unpopular rotations which Graham Rix didn't want to do. And it showed on the pitch. Guys like Ibrahim Tall came from nowhere.

"Burley just put a big cross through his name at the start but Tall has been fantastic the last few games."

And Romanov claimed Tall's introduction to the top team has also whittled away any chance of a reconciliation between the club and defender Andy Webster in their contract dispute.

Taking another swipe agent Charlie Duddy, the Jambos chairman said: "His agent has put him in a difficult position. He has cost Andy dearly.

"We'd like Andy to stay. He hasn't said he doesn't want to be here, just that he wanted to think.

"The offer was there but Tall's form makes that offer look shaky at the moment.

"His agent has refused us so many times we've had to make other plans.

"So if he comes back and says he wants to take our offer it might be too late."

And Romanov admitted the Old Firm can come calling if the price is right.

He said: "It's up to Andy. If he wants to go to Celtic, Rangers or anywhere else we will make the conditions.

"It's better if players move to other leagues and aren't competing against you but that can't always happen.

"Maybe it will be good for the press - Webster plays for Celtic and scores the winning goal against us. You'd be hard on me then."

There's no reason to believe Roman or his father Vladimir will be scared to make a tough decision on Webster - they've done it often enough on other issues.

But despite a crazy season off the field Roman insists they couldn't have done anything differently.

Taken from the Sunday Mail