The measure of Romanov's rule

WITH the dust settled and the debris cleared, an evaluation of Hearts' 2005/06 accomplishments is in hand as the notion that Vladimir Romanov never strays from his stated intentions becomes truly unshakeable.

The majority shareholder at Tynecastle may have a touch of eccentricity about him that has doubtless led to some of his more questionable movements but his relentless motivation to drive the club to unprecedented levels of achievement, and the ability to facilitate such aspirations, cannot be denied.

The Scottish Cup, all polished and gleaming after suffering the paw marks of Steven Pressley and his colleagues, is on display in the Hearts superstore for supporters to gawp adoringly at.

There is no similar physical award for a place in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League but, if there was, it would be far too priceless a commodity to parade safely in public.

So whilst criticism for Romanov has been plentiful over the last year, and on occasion justifiable given the turbulence that has characterised his reign thus far, it is only reasonable to accentuate the fact that the Russian-born banker has ultimately succeeded in delivering on his previously scoffed-at declarations.

It was late in 2004, after buying out a portion of former chairman Leslie Deans' shareholding in Hearts at a cost of £455,000, that Romanov provided the first serious discharge of his tenure at a time when the true colour of his money was still being ruminated on. "My first mission is to attract more fans than currently watch the team," he said.

For the former submariner, his first mission has been accomplished. Hearts' average attendance for the season just ended was 16,529, an increase of more than 25 per cent when compared to 2004/05's average of 12,220.

"Why would I invest money in Hearts if I didn't think I could make the club No.1 in Scotland? It is the only option," said Romanov.

"Hearts is situated in the capital of the country and its quality is something different from the clubs in Glasgow.

"We believe very strongly that Hearts could get an even better support. This is one of my motives for investing in Hearts. My next mission is to get a bigger fan base than either Celtic or Rangers."

He might struggle with that next target, but you have to admire the gumption that Romanov is only too willing to put on display.

After acquiring Chris Robinson's shares and becoming Tynecastle's major shareholder in February 2005, Romanov then had his obsession with the Champions League, and specifically Liverpool, indulged when the English club drew FBK Kaunas in the tournament's qualifying rounds last summer. Romanov is the major financial backer at Kaunas, and witnessing one of his clubs on the greatest continental footballing stage made him crave further upturns in Hearts' fortunes.

"My dream is to see Hearts play in the Champions League," he said. Again, that assignment is now complete.

"We can challenge Celtic and Rangers if we bring in the right players and the coach selects the right players and everyone works in the right way."

Splitting the Old Firm is certainly the correct way to go about ruffling a few previously immaculate feathers, as is declaring war on referees and the Scottish Football Association. As he has acquired more control in Hearts, so the muscles have been flexed more often and with greater intensity.

To speak metaphorically, we are now at the stage where the veins are bulging on Romanov's arm.

Further proclamations into last autumn saw Romanov declare Hearts as realistic championship contenders as George Burley took a domineering approach to management in Scotland after arriving from Derby County.

And his employer was only too willing to go with the flow of a 12-game unbeaten league run.

"I want us to be fighting for the championship, nothing else," said Romanov. "And I want all the fans to believe in that dream which will hopefully come true."

In that instance, there is no escaping Hearts' failure, for this season at least.

Their slide out of the championship race had much to do with the untimely removal of Burley after a series of disputes with Romanov, as well as the subsequent unsettling periods of transition during the Graham Rix-Jim Duffy months.

But the owner recognised all along that change was necessary to provide progress.

"This is just the beginning and there is still a lot of work to be done," said Romanov.

"We will invest in the youth set-up which is the future of the club. I also want to improve the general structure and organisation of the football club because, if you don't have that, then money won't help. It will be like sand disappearing in water."

This grandiose plan has no real timeframe, only that it will happen under the guidance of this fiery little Russian.

Having said that, however, patience will never be Romanov's greatest virtue. "I want us to be champions in three years' time. If we can do it sooner then so much the better," he declared.

Only time can prove him right or wrong on that one, but George Foulkes, despite his resignation as chairman last October, remained a public supporter of the multi-millionaire's vision for Hearts.

In particular, Foulkes recognises the need for Rangers and Celtic to be challenged.

"I think Mr Romanov's involvement strengthens our hand considerably to become the top club in Scotland and it is our aim to end the duopoly enjoyed by the Old Firm," he said as Romanov became increasingly active in the control of Hearts throughout last year.

Ultimately, the goal is European domination.

Romanov's character will not allow him to rest until he is governing football across the continent the way he does the business world in Lithuania.

"It is realistic to think we can challenge the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea," he says. "But it would not be realistic if changes were not made."

That means further player investment, firstly in people who are relatively unknown in Scotland, possibly such as the Cameroonian pair Albert Meyong and Rodolph Douala.

They may cost in excess of £1 million, but nothing will stifle the ambitions of Romanov.

After all, who had heard of Roman Bednar or Rudi Skacel just 12 months ago?

At the end of a BBC documentary screened last year, entitled Frontline Scotland: The Romanov Revolution, Hearts' majority shareholder imparted his vision for the club's future. "They will be champions of Europe within ten years," he said.

Having envisaged a challenge to the Old Firm and delivered, and then promised the Champions League and delivered, will he facilitate the greatest achievement of the lot by 2016? Like season 2005/06, the ensuing period promises to be enthralling.

Taken from the Scotsman