Lithu-mania sees Hearts Tangoed

PAUL KIDDIE

THE remarkable success of Vladimir Romanov's Tynecastle revolution has sparked unprecedented interest in Hearts in the banker's homeland of Lithuania.

The high-flying Gorgie outfit go into tomorrow's showdown with Rangers boasting a five-point lead over nearest rivals Celtic, George Burley having steered his side to seven straight SPL wins.

The hosts could see their advantage stretch to a daunting 11 points with victory in the Capital in the lunchtime shoot-out.

Media interest in the Jambos has never been more intense, with newspapers and radio stations the length and breadth of the country taking note of what's been happening since Romanov, pictiured, took over.

Interest has also been roused in Europe and nowhere is that more apparent than in Lithuania, where Tango TV executives have struck a deal to transmit 15 Hearts matches this season - either live or via a delayed transmission.

The presence of Lithuanian internationalists Edgar Jankauskas, David Cesnauskis and Saulius Mikoliunas have added to the attraction of the Jambos in Eastern Europe. Pictures are supplied by Setanta and, following the success of the recent showing of Hearts' 4-1 triumph over Livingston at Almondvale, the first Jambos game to be beamed back to Lithuania, tomorrow's meeting with Rangers will also be shown as well as the Jambos' trip to Falkirk next weekend.

"This agreement is a significant breakthrough and has really put Scottish football on the map in Lithuania," said Romanov's spokesman Charlie Mann.

"Jankauskas is the biggest name player in Lithuania at the moment and has added to the interest for the Lithuanian public.

"They are now aware of the success which Hearts are enjoying and many people can now be seen wearing Hearts tops over there."

He added: "Tomorrow's game is expected to attract a significant audience given the fact that previously Rangers and Celtic have been the only team the Lithuanian public have been aware of."

Tango TV, which has secured the contract for the current SPL campaign, is more accustomed to showing Champions League football and important basketball matches and is watched by around 65 per cent of the population.

"The station has reacted very positively to the games shown so far and the football fans have been impressed by the quality of broadcasts by Setanta, which have been a big improvement compared to what they have been used to."

Next week's clash at Falkirk will be the fourth time this season Hearts have featured on Setanta's live broadcasts, the company having recently claimed the stunning start made by Burley's side made them "unmissable".

"The deal to show the games in Lithuania shows the pulling power of Hearts at the moment," said Colin Davidson, executive producer at Setanta.

"There is obviously great interest in Lithuania in what Mr Romanov is doing at Tynecastle and we are delighted to service them.

"The feedback from our coverage has been very good and for it to come from as far afield as Lithuania is great from our perspective."

Taken from the Scotsman