IT'S FANS' TURN TO STAND UP

IT had to happen. Hearts couldn't stumble on pretending nothing was wrong and that everyone was tuned to the same sonar as the old submariner.

It was only a matter of time before a proud and strong professional such as Steven Pressley could stomach no more of the madness which has engulfed Tynecastle since Vladimir Romanov and his cracked logic washed up in Gorgie.

Yesterday the club captain made his stand and we were given dramatic proof of the turmoil which now threatens to break Hearts.

However, we were also given evidence that Tynecastle should not yet be officially listed as an asylum. Yes, there may be one or two lunatics in there but at least the insanity hasn't seeped into the heads of everyone.

Yesterday the players did the sensible thing.

Pressley, flanked by Hearts' two other key players, Paul Hartley and Craig Gordon, took deep breaths and said what had to be said. It would have pained them to reveal the extent of the problems within but they believe the idiosyncrasies of the current regime cannot be tolerated any longer.

As the most influential players at the club they had a duty to speak out in a manner unprecedented and even though they know that in lifting the lid on this ridiculous Russian regime has placed their necks on the line they had to step up.

In a damning statement delivered by Pressley in a steady, deliberate way which further enhances his reputation as a true and strong leader of football men, the players told the truth.

And they did it not for publicity or to be seen as big shots but for the good of their club which they believe is being undermined by the actions of the people in charge.

Those very people, Vladimir and his son, Roman, might now take action against the employees because one thing we have discovered about the owner is he can react, irrationally at times, to criticism of his order and he will certainly regard Pressley, Hartley and Gordon as rebels. He may also be plotting his revenge.

However, having spoken out against the crazy machinations which have created unrest and instability, these players must be protected and supported. They have done their bit. They have taken a lead. They have sent out the message that the lunacy has to be stopped.

Just as they have held it together on the pitch despite the excessive changes which suggested Valdas Ivanauskas, who has taken leave to recover from stress, had already taken leave of his senses, they are trying now to hold the entire club together. They have set the example for the fans and now it is up to them to show how strongly they believe in Heart of Midlothian FC.

The time has come for them to shake off this ridiculous infatuation they have for Romanov and they must listen to what Pressley, Hartley and Gordon are saying.

They must understand Romanov is not the saviour they wished him to be and that he is now endangering their club.

Players are often regarded as pampered, selfish, and insensitive creatures but Pressley and the others didn't stand up because they are not getting things their own way.

They are afraid, not for their wages - Pressley has made his money, while Hartley, no pauper himself, and Gordon will find work anywhere - but for their club mainly because Romanov seems to think he is performing on the Edinburgh Fringe.

He has been good fun at times but it's way beyond a joke now and the players are not laughing. For them the show is over and now the fans have to hold the applause. They must tell Romanov to get serious, appoint a proper manager and stop meddling.

Ideally they could tell him to get into his submarine and disappear but they can't. He has full control of Hearts, his bank holds their massive debt, which by now must be more than £20million, but somehow they must get the message across that he has to stop messing with something that means the world to so many.

Let's see now if these fans are as courageous as the players.

Taken from the Daily Record