Romanov rages at media 'hate'

Hearts supremo Vladimir Romanov has launched an astonishing attack on the media following his latest revelation that he is involved in training methods and player recruitment.

The Lithuanian businessman admitted earlier this month that he had a strong influence on team selection, ending speculation that had followed the club since he took control at Tynecastle in February 2005.

He has now declared that his involvement in team affairs goes even deeper, while also criticising the press for blowing things out of all proportion.

"Despite your hysteria I do not only give my approval to every team selection, but also to the plan of the training process," Romanov said in a statement.

"I do, as well, participate in the selection of new players.

"Having said this, I am expecting more outbursts of hysteria. They give me confidence that I am on the right way."

Romanov's attack on the media did not end there, as he unleashed a stinging volley of verbal abuse at those reporters he believes hate Hearts and the job he is doing in Edinburgh.

"I want to dedicate Hearts victories to those journalists who, because of their hate towards us, only notice our defeats and say it is fair criticism when in fact it is simply hysteria with only one aim - to dismantle the club," he ranted.

"You remind me of those Bolsheviks in Soviet times who wanted to shoot a peasant only because he planted the seeds following his own way, and not their instructions.

"Once they were ready to shoot a peasant but a clever one stopped them and said: `Let's shoot him in the autumn after he has gathered his harvest'.

"I guess that if you could, I would have already been shot by now, but whilst you can't, full of hate and anger, you are spreading manure on my crops.

"Last season Hearts proved everything that was possible to prove.

"You will have to fight with our shadow for quite a long time."