Hearts could be under new ownership by end of season as takeover talks continue

Alan Marshall

HEARTS director Sergejus Fedotovas revealed negotiations are ongoing with a number of interested parties.
Heats chief Sergejus Fedotovas Heats chief Sergejus Fedotovas
SNS Group/Rob Casey

FORMER Hearts stars John Robertson and Allan Preston have welcomed news the club could be under new ownership within months.

Director Sergejus Fedotovas revealed at the weekend that negotiations are ongoing with a number of interested parties and a deal could be finalised before the end of the season.

Majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov, whose Ukio Bankas bank in Lithuania went into administration last week, has cut financial ties with the debt-ridden Gorgie outfit.

Hearts have had to rely on fund-raising from fans to keep them afloat and face the first of three £500,000 payments to the taxman this summer.

But the prospect of a fresh regime taking control has been hailed as a step forward in safeguarding the club’s future.

Former Jambos winger Preston said: “It’s quite positive. I think there have been people in the UK trying to buy the club, there are also Scandinavians interested and ex-Livingston owner Angelo Massone and the Hearts Foundation.

“So there are a lot of people hopefully trying to get the club and if that was the case it would be terrific news for Hearts.

“Hopefully if they can get to the end of the season they can run their own ship.”

Jambos’ record scorer Robertson said: “From my information, they’ve been speaking to a host of parties and, for once, it’s been kept quite quiet.

“There are a few buyers interested and they may be well down the road.”

Taken from the Daily Record