Miko Raps Romanov

Saulius-Mikoliunas-reckons-Vladimir-Romanov-s-oversized-ego-has-pushed-the-club-to-the-brink Saulius Mikoliunas reckons Vladimir Romanov’s oversized ego has pushed the club to the brink

Mikoliunas was part of the squad who lifted the 2006 Scottish Cup when the Jambos were spending big, backed by Romanov’s Lithuanian bank.

They were also top of the league under George Burley before Romanov hit the self-destruct button and sacked him.

That reckless free-spending came to a head when Hearts plunged into administration last month with debts of £25million.

Mikoliunas, who played for Sevastopol against Celtic on Wednesday night, said. “I remember when we were top of the league and doing well under George Burley.

“I think he [Romanov] was jealous that the supporters and everybody were talking about George rather than him.

“That is why he kicked him out. He liked to be at the centre of everything.

“He would quite often come out on the training pitch. He thought he was a good player who could play for Barcelona. He would make us laugh.”

Mikoliunas confirmed that the owner’s desire to flood the Tynecastle squad with Lithuanians caused problems behind the scenes.

The midfielder admitted it left him and his fellow countrymen in a difficult predicament.

“He brought in too many Lithuanian players and people started to talk about it and make an issue of it,” said the 29-year-old.

“It also upset the fans because they wanted to see better players, not just unknown Lithuanians like us.”

I remember when we were top of the league and doing well under George Burley

Saulius Mikoliunas

Mikoliunas hopes Hearts can pull through the current crisis.

“I played there for four years and it is sad to see them in such a bad situation,” he said.

“It is very disappointing but I am keeping my fingers crossed that somebody can take them over and make them a force in Scotland again.”

“But you have to do what’s right. You have to carry out the will of the clubs where you can.

“It is a new league and a league that represents all 42 clubs for the first time in 15 years.

“What’s important now is that we don’t just talk about it, but our actions speak louder than words.

“My hope is people will give the new league organisation the space to demonstrate it can work effectively in the interests of all 42 clubs.”