Union Berlin 3-0 Hearts:

Thomson cloud hangs heavy as Hearts are beaten in Germany

Published Date: 11 July 2011
Union Berlin 3
Silvio (23), Terrode (57), Ede (61)
Hearts 0
VLADIMIR Romanov took in Hearts' latest pre-season friendly against Union Berlin at Stadion An der Alten Foersterei on Saturday, watching his side comprehensively beaten 3-0, then refusing to answer questions on the future of disgraced defender Craig Thomson - only to announce 24 hours later that the player will leave the club "imminently".

The club's majority shareholder, back in Scotland yesterday to attend an event in Loch Ness to mark the 50th anniversary of the K-19 Russian nuclear submarine accident, confirmed via the club's website that convicted sex offender Thomson will not play for the club again, with a statement reading that "a solution" has been found "for the player to leave the club over the forthcoming days". A further, more detailed, announcement will be made later this week.

The Thomson saga, throughout which the club has attracted hefty criticism, has proved an unwanted distraction for manager Jim Jefferies, even though the player was left at home as the manager took his side first to Italy for a training camp before embarking on friendlies against German opposition.

Indeed, the manager has spoken of his relief at being able to take the rest of the players away from the flak which has been directed at the club.

After seeing his side comprehensively beaten by the German second-tier outfit on Saturday, Jefferies will be keen to channel all his energies into getting his side fully ready for their SPL opener against Rangers on Saturday, 23 July.

In front of a crowd some 10,000 fans short of the 16,000 Jefferies had said he believed was expected to turn out to back the home side, Hearts had the early chances, with Mehdi Taouil setting up John Sutton to fire over under pressure before David Obua flicked wide following Jamie Hamill's free-kick.

However, the Edinburgh side looked ill at ease defensively and Brazilian striker Silva gave the home side the lead in the 26th minute despite claims of a foul on Andy Webster. Marius Zaliukas headed just wide for Hearts that was effectively Hearts' last chance of taking something from the game as the Germans doubled their lead on 57 minutes. Simon Terrode soon netted at the second attempt after Hearts' Adrian Mrowiec made a hash of clearing the ball.

Silva soon doubled his tally following a one-two as he stroked the ball past Marion Kello.

Gordon Smith did have a great late chance to put a less emphatic gloss on the final score but blazed his effort over the bar after Taouil hit the post.

Union Berlin: Hottecke, Quiring, Madouni (Gohlert 73), Stuff, Pfertzel, Kohlmann, Karl, Terrode (Skrzybski 71), Menz (Parensen 71), Ede, Silvio..

Hearts: Kello, Hamill (Barr 73), Grainger, Mrowiec (McGowan 68), Zaliukas (Holt 84), Webster, Templeton (Novikovas 68), Black (Stevenson 68), Sutton (Smith 68), Taouil, Obua.

Taken from the Scotsman