ROMANOV: CUP HEROES ARE VLAD FOR IT

VLADIMIR ROMANOV last night insisted yesterday's Scottish Cup win was another indication Hearts are ready to break the Old Firm's stranglehold on our game.

The Jambos rounded off an excellent season by winning a trophy after earning a crack at the Champions League.

Romanov (left) said: "My ambition when I first came to Hearts was to move the balance of power from Glasgow through to Edinburgh.

"I think what has happened today is another massive step in that direction. We will not stop, we are determined to keep improving and moving ahead. Victories like this will drive us on.

"We had some nervous moments and I'm pleased to have survived this struggle.

"Gretna used their experienced players well and their keeper Alan Main had a fantastic game."

Jambos caretaker coach Valdas Ivanauskas dedicated the win to the fans and said: "We should have scored seven and I said to the players we were going to give ourselves problems by not getting a second.

"Thankfully we got there in the end. This is for our supporters. This win was for them.

"For me finishing second in the league was the most important thing, that gave me the most satisfaction.

"Now I will go away on holiday tomorrow and I don't know what the future holds. I don't know if I'll be given the job on a permanent basis.

"I want to be here next season and we need to have a meetingwith Mr Romanov to find out.

"We're going into the Champions League and must add morequality. We need new faces and if I stay here I will pick them."

Gretna boss Rowan Alexander couldn't help wondering what might have been. He said: "It was a good effort and we entertained.Weshowed Scottish football what we're about.

"We started with a little bit of fear. We were better whenwe got in about Hearts and the tactical change worked when we brought on David Graham. I feel unlucky not to have won but credit to my players."

Taken from the Sunday Mail