Dagger in the Hearts

By ROBERT MARTIN

Published: 03 Nov 2011

VLADIMIR ROMANOV loves to describe Scottish football as showbusiness.

Yesterday he turned Hearts into an episode of CASUALTY.

Several senior Jambos players woke up yesterday hoping their wages had finally been paid.

They ended the day reeling in shock having been told to find new clubs.

In between Edinburgh City Council had shot down the Gorgie club's hopes of sharing the costs of a new community stadium.

That means if Hearts want to either redevelop Tynecastle or move elsewhere they'll need to do it on their own — and fund it themselves.

And that may prove to be the straw that ultimately broke the Lithuanian tycoon's back.

Romanov, who has pumped millions into Hearts since taking over in 2005, no longer appears prepared to put in another penny.

In one of his typical rambling statements on Tuesday evening he pre-empted the council's move by stating he was ready to withdraw his funding.

And now the man who has seen off 11 Hearts managers during his six years in charge may lose as many players in a matter of days when the transfer window reopens.

He complained: "Scottish football ranks alongside Armenia, Panama and Burkina Faso. Entrepreneurs and various large businesses turned their backs on that sort of football and left this national heritage to the mercy of its own fate.

"That sort of outrage from the media, federation and tax authorities kills everyone who is trying to change this situation including ourselves who are ready to invest in Scotland once again with stadium plans. And no one is interested in what's going on. This is why I think there's no point is spending millions to watch someone else's show."

Just 24 hours later he backed up his threat with a remarkable change of strategy that has threatened the very existence of this 127-year-old institution.

In a stunning twist Hearts are now willing to listen to offers for ANY player who can generate a transfer fee.

Now it remains to be seen if boss Paulo Sergio, another of the group still waiting for his October salary, will hang around to work with whoever is left after the fire sale is over.

All the players wanted when they met with club officials for crisis talks yesterday was an assurance that the wages they were due on October 16 would be paid soon.

Instead ashen-faced managing director David Southern told them he could give NO indication when they would get their pay — and that there were no guarantees they will see any of the money they are owed in the foreseeable future.

He then dropped the bombshell news that Hearts were prepared to listen to any offers they received for any of their first-team squad.

The stunned players held another meeting to discuss their options.

And a Hearts source told SunSport a mass exodus in a matter of weeks is now the most likely outcome.

The source said: "There are a lot of unhappy boys right now. The club can't even give the players a date as to when the wages might be paid. With Christmas coming up nobody knows what is going to happen. It's far from ideal. And a lot of people are now really fed up."

PFA Scotland is investigating whether the players are legally entitled to walk away because their contracts have been breached.

The union has already consulted with FIFA while a letter to Hearts asking for an explanation for the delay has yet to receive a response.

A formal complaint to the SPL on behalf of the players is also expected to reach Hampden by the close of play tomorrow.

There remains the possibility that the league could divert TV cash or commercial payments straight to the players.

But they would need a collective agreement from the squad asking them to fight their corner. And SunSport understands that's unlikely to happen for fear of more reprisals from Romanov. A strike has also been ruled out with the source adding: "The players are determined to play for themselves and show they're a strong unit.

"They don't want to let it affect them on the pitch."