Craig Burley: Time for Romanov to make his money talk

Romanov’s level of investment in his team has not yet rivalled the clubs he is trying to challenge. Edgaras Jankauskas is paid wages approaching those on offer at the Old Firm, but other influential players, like Julien Brellier, earn no more than they could get on the other side of Edinburgh. So far the Romanov millions have eluded John Robertson, George Burley and Rix. Rangers and Celtic are consistently ahead because they spend the most money and Hearts’ current squad is at its limit halfway through this season.

They need to strengthen the right side of midfield, a position they have struggled with all season. Rudi Skacel has 14 goals from the left, all they have on the other side is a revolving door. Robbie Neilson, the right-back, suffers because of that but if Rix had money he could still find a full-back who is better going forward. Paul Hartley and Brellier have been productive in the middle but Hearts need quality cover for the run-in and they could lose Hartley through suspension after his kick at Ross Wallace of Celtic. Most importantly they need a goalscorer up front, someone capable of scoring 15 before the end of the season. Neither Roman Bednar nor Jankauskas look like doing this and if you are serious about winning the title then you cannot rely on an 18-year-old, not even one with the potential of Callum Elliot.

These are four positions that Hearts can strengthen and if they do they will have a squad capable of hauling back Celtic and making the second half of the season as interesting as the first. At worst, with the right players brought in they should finish second regardless of any improvement at Easter Road or Ibrox. They have to do it now, though, and that means that their targets will be under contract. Romanov has paid transfer fees before — Michal Pospisil cost a reported £300,000 in the summer — but he will need to take his spending to another level if he is to do the same thing to the Hearts squad.

Hearts supporters have heard the masterplan and they believe, but for how much longer if they see no proof that their owner can keep up in the transfer market? I want to see Romanov give Rix the money, I want Hearts to strengthen their squad and I wanted them to beat Celtic last weekend, because I want to see another classic championship race. Yet as Tynecastle went mental last Sunday I somehow came under fire. One supporter was on the away dugout abusing Neil Lennon, but there were plenty more hammering on the window of our studio as the goals went in. Unfortunately I can’t have the same influence on matches as I used to. I wasn’t making silly challenges and giving away needless free kicks late in the game, I haven’t promised European glory and I didn’t fire George Burley.

Hearts have reportedly agreed a deal for Darren Potter, a young midfielder from Liverpool’s reserve team. If their owner is willing to spend the £750,000 fee that Liverpool are requesting then perhaps he is ready to back Hearts for the title. However at this stage of the season new players, or the majority of them, need to be starters, guys who improve your team and lift the other players in the changing room. Hearts have apparently made approaches for Neil Mellor and Anthony Le Tallec, two players closer to the Liverpool first team who would have a serious impact on the Premierleague. Bring in that kind of quality and Hearts will be on the right track.

Romanov’s other challenge is to fend off the clubs that will come looking for the players that have taken Hearts this far. Craig Gordon, Hartley and Skacel will be on the radar of many managers in January. If Hearts want to take the opportunity that is before them this season they must keep these players and add others of a similar quality. Four in and none out and they will have a great chance. It’s not easy, but how much more difficult will it be next season, when Rangers and Celtic have had the chance to strengthen their squads? The businessman in Romanov can look at it as a sound financial investment. If he spends a few million now he can all but secure second place and a chance to qualify for the Champions League, which would bring in up to £10m. Win the league and as well as all the glory that goes with that achievement, Hearts would go straight into the group stages of that tournament.

Hearts are still in the race and have a chance to upset the dominance of Rangers and Celtic. Over the course of a season Kilmarnock can’t do that, nor can Aberdeen, Dundee United, Motherwell or even Hibs. Romanov claims that, under his control, Hearts can. If either of the Old Firm were in the position that Hearts are they would spend money and move up a gear in the run-in. Romanov must do likewise and show that his club can match the big two off the park as well as on it.

Taken from timesonline.co.uk