Romanov hits back at Johnson's parting shot

HEARTS owner Vladimir Romanov launched a typically colourful attack on departed Tynecastle midfielder Lee Johnston last night, in response to the player's claim that had coach Valdas Ivanauskas is merely Romanov's "puppet".

Johnson, in a parting shot after joining Bristol City this week, claimed that Romanov was behind many of the team selections and substitutions.

"It is good when the enemies and the jealous call my subordinates puppets," said Romanov. "When I was on duty on the nuclear submarine K19, I was proud of being a puppet in the hands of my commander. I am still proud of it today.

"Before every match against the Glasgow teams, the Glasgow media puppets will attempt to disgrace our club because of their impotence. Because of this we enjoy every victory against them even more."

Romanov continued: "I don't know what kind of experiment Graham Rix [former Hearts head coach] had in mind when taking Lee Johnson on. He did not manage to explain it. As a footballer he has no value. This was proved by the fact that nobody was prepared to pay a penny for him and we were even asked to pay money to get rid of him."

Johnson had also claimed that unusual procedures were followed to determine the fitness of players, describing how striker Edgaras Jankauskas placed his finger in a machine which predicted that he would pull a hamstring if he played in a forthcoming match. "Perhaps Lee was jealous of Jankauskas placing his finger in equipment to ascertain his health," said Romanov. "However, it would have been better for the man now at Bristol City to have placed his tongue there to ascertain his suitability to speak."

Earlier in the day, an exasperated Ivanauskas was at pains to stress his autonomy. "If you are in the stand or not at the game then there is no chance to pick the team or make changes," said the coach. "Every decision is mine. Every player is unhappy when they leave the club."

Taken from the Scotsman