Another episode in Hearts' soap opera

Walter Smith dropped his first points as Rangers manager in the 0-0 draw with Hearts but, as so often with these clubs, it was events off the field which provided the bulk of the topics for discussion afterwards.

Rangers largely dominated but it was a laboured display, with only captain Barry Ferguson exhibiting the craft and guile required to create openings against obdurate opponents whose lack of ambition was rewarded with a point.

Last season Hearts split the Old Firm for the first time in 18 years and also captured the Tennent's Scottish Cup.Their lack of adventure on Saturday leaves them five points adrift of Rangers and allowed Aberdeen to move ahead of them into third place with their away win over St Mirren. Hibernian are two points behind them following their 2-0 victory over Motherwell.

Hearts are in danger of missing out on European football next season and that could have serious financial ramifications for the club.

Owner Vladimir Romanov has spent £5.9million acquiring the land required to redevelop Tynecastle and, with the extent of Hearts' debt the subject of fevered speculation, the Kaunas-based businessman has to recoup that investment.

In an interview with a Belorussian magazine, Romanov described the departure of club captain Steven Pressley, now with Celtic, as "a banal betrayal". The increasingly ludicrous Romanov, speaking about the health of coach Valdas Ivanauskas, who had a month's sick leave earlier in the season, claimed it was "impossible to normalise the situation unless we removed footballers who did not want to play against Celtic, Rangers and other teams."

On Saturday Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon and the inspirational midfielder Paul Hartley were left out of the Hearts squad. Ivanauskas confirmed afterwards that he had wanted to select them but Romanov decreed otherwise.

Fulham are close to agreeing a fee of around £5million for Gordon while Hartley is wanted by Rangers, who can sign him for £1million. Full-back Robbie Neilson, another target for Smith, was also absent on Saturday while striker Michael Pospisil looks likely to join Bristol City for £100,000.

Christophe Berra, 22, took Gordon's armband at Ibrox and attempted to be upbeat about the situation.

"[The departures] could weaken us but we've already made signings of a good standard to replace them," he said. "We won't forget them but I hope that in time we'll be talking about these new players."

Taken from telegraph.co.uk