Hearts stars demand cash assurance from Vladimir Romanov after latest pay row

Chris Roberts

HEARTS players expect their wages to be in their accounts today - and they want assurances from the club that the "blip" won't happen again.

Csaba Laszlo's men put their cash-flow concerns aside to see off Rangers at home on Saturday - their fifth SPL win in a row. But some players are worried that the problems behind the scenes are far greater than they are being told as it is the second time this season that controversial tycoon Vladimir Romanov hasn't paid them on time.

The Tynecastle club insist that there's been a "blip" in Romanov's company UBIK changing the banking process and that everything is in perfect working order.

Laszlo laughed off the the situation but skipper Christophe Berra said: "We're not going to pretend it's not a concern but we trust people to sort this out.

"We are assured that everyone will get paid on Monday morning. It is not a problem just now."

The Jambos squad have been told their weekly wage, which was missing on Friday, will drop today and they won't be left without salaries for a week as they were two months earlier.

In September, club officials labelled the hold up a "glitch" and this time it has been referred to as a "blip". Last time the problem occurred there was an assurance that players would be paid early the following week but the payments did not reach the Hearts squad until the end of the week.

Off-field staff were paid their monthly salaries a week ago but another problem with players' wages will prompt further scrutiny of Romanov's stewardship.

When the same situation arose earlier this season the problem was blamed on a technicality but it was never adequately explained.

Aclub spokesperson said: "The funds are in place, the money has been transferred and will be in the players' bank accounts on Monday morning."

Taken from the Daily Record