HOTHEAD VLAD IS NOT THAT DAFT TO DROP HIMSELF IN IT

VLADIMIR ROMANOV must have wondered what all the fuss was about as a potential powder keg yesterday turned out to be a damp squib at Tynecastle for the Lithuanian.

Talk of a fans backlash and walk out following Friday's player revolt came to nothing in what was an easy afternoon for the Hearts owner.

He was given a gentle ride despite a dismal draw against a struggling and manager-less Dunfermline side.

The only time Romanov's name was heard around the ground was some taunting by Pars supporters after Jim Hamilton's equaliser.

Vlad appears to thrive on conflict but yesterday did his best to avoid it.

He resisted the temptation to drop the so called Riccarton Three - Steven Pressley, Paul Hartley and Craig Gordon - who had revealed "significant unrest" in the Jambos dressing-room.

His decision defused a potential bomb - the self-styled Tynecastle Tsar is many things but you don't get as wealthy as him by being stupid.

Some might say it was the first sign of weakness from the businessman. Others might call it shrewd.

If he'd dropped any of the Scots he'd not only lose three of his most influential players but he'd also have caused uproar among the Gorgie supporters.

The whisper before kick-off was of a mass fans' walkout at 3.15pm had any of the trio been axed.

Meanwhile, Edgaras Jankauskas and Saulius Mikoliunas - who some say are favoured by the club owner - found themselves on the bench.

Romanov must have been relieved to see another Lithuanian make his mark as Andrius Velicka hit the back of the net with just 10 minutes on the clock to ease some of the pressure.

But the Tynecastle owner greeted the goal in his usual manner, with a stony face and some small applause.

He displayed little emotion in his usual seat in the directors' box where he took in the action.

While there was no backlash by fans it was clear from banners in the ground and singing in the stands that supporters were backing the players.

Pressley and Hartley heard their names chanted while the Jambos choir cut out singing Romanov's name, to the tune of La Donna E Mobile, from their repertoire.

Romanov must have wondered what was worse - his own supporters not giving him vocal backing or the small band of visiting fans chanting his name.

That's exactly what happened early in the second half when Hamilton netted his equaliser.

The delighted Fife fans chanted: "Are you watching Romanov?" And when Hamilton had a goal chalked off for offside soon after you could sense the home crowd getting twitchy. You might have expected them to turn - but again they resisted.

And if Romanov does have any input into tactical changes the introduction of fans' favourite Julien Brellier was one way to appease the supporters.

The Frenchman came on with nine minutes left to rapturous applause.

But the Pars clung on for a point and delivered a further blow to Romanov's title ambitions.

Vlad got an easy ride yesterday but you get the feeling the players' statement is just the start of things.

And this draw didn't help as players continue to search for stability at the hands of their ruthless club owner.

Taken from the Sunday Mail