JAMBOS HOLD FIRE AS IT ALL GOES WRONG AGAIN

YOU have to wonder what it will take for Hearts fans' patience with owner Vladimir Romanov to finally snap.

Even by the soap opera standards set at Tynecastle this season the last seven days had been traumatic.

The departure of Steven Pressley for speaking out against Romanov (right) then the disciplinary hearing for key man Paul Hartley held in a Portakabin for backing his captain ensured headlines for all the wrong reasons yet again.

But yesterday sawthe same reaction from the supporters that had followed the so-called Riccarton Three's stance - Craig Gordon had joined his fellow Scotland internationals when Elvis read his prepared statement on October 27 - and that was pretty much NO reaction.

Even when Steve Lovell struck a late winner for Aberdeen there was no backlash - despite the defeat leaving last season's Scottish Cup winners trailing the Dons by seven points. There were even chants of "We'll support you ever more."

The radio and internet criticism of Romanov is replaced by apathy at home games. Fans must either still trust the Lithuanian, scared what he might do if they turn against him, or are embarrassed to change tack after backing him to take over.

Club chairman Roman Romanov, who like his father wasn't at the game, almost anticipated a reaction when he wrote in his programme notes: "Short-term criticism and unpopularity are often part of the price we have to pay in order to achieve longterm success."

Aberdeen travelling to Tynecastle brought back memories of their last visit to Gorgie for Valdas Ivanauskas (far right).

The coach said: "This game reminds me of that special night when we secured second place in the SPL and a chance to play in the Champions League.

"The noise and emotion then will live withme forever. Supporters told me it was one of the best atmospheres ever experienced at Tynecastle. That says it all."

Yet a look back at that game underlined how Hearts have gone downhill.

Hartley converted the penalty against the Dons to earn that history victory but was left on the bench yesterday.

There were a couple of chants of "There's only one Paul Hartley" and a fan held up his mobile in the direction of Ivanauskas and joked Romanov was on the line.

It must have worked - in 65 minutes the midfielder was introduced.

And the perfect script for Hartley was ruined when he had the ball in the net only for it to be ruled offside.

The fans' resolve did finally crack after the final whistle when they booed their idols off.

Taken from the Sunday Mail