Romanov's torpedoes leave Pressley sinking fast

ANYONE who believed that Vladimir Romanov would let Hearts' rebellious triumvirate walk free was simply kidding themselves.

Like the K19 submarine which he used to inhabit, Romanov has carefully manoeuvred himself into position during recent weeks in preparation for a vicious strike.

When Steven Pressley delivered his impromptu statement to the media on that infamous Friday at Riccarton just over two weeks ago, he was indulging in an act that was akin to signing his own death warrant in the Romanov world of unstinting employee devotion. What's more, the captain knew it.

Hearts' majority shareholder is a stickler for complete loyalty and trust, therefore the stance taken by Pressley, Craig Gordon and Paul Hartley was never going to be accepted with grace by their Russian oligarch.

The breaking of ranks irritated Romanov, especially given that it was the three players whom he valued most in the squad that had so publicly gone against his leadership.

Officially, the message from Hearts was that there would be no recompense for those who had voiced the opinions of some, but not all, dressing-room colleagues. Nonetheless, Romanov was never going to allow such an act of defiance to slide.

The initial rumblings of what could be termed revenge reached Pressley's ears over the weekend, the Scotland defender sensing something afoot inside the dressing room at Riccarton. A plan to depose him as captain was being formulated, almost certainly initiated by Romanov through his team's Lithuanian players.

Pressley's pride and dignity represent a large portion of what has held Hearts together as a club in recent months, so any attempt to undermine his authority would be keenly felt. The emotional strain was taking its toll, and in his mind this most mentally-resolute of individuals was unable to devote himself fully to last night's match at the Falkirk stadium.

He gave his reasons to the squad and departed the team hotel. Whether he ever actually returns to play another game for Hearts is a matter in genuine jeopardy, but as far as the players are concerned there is only one man they will address as "captain" for now.

"We absolutely believe he is our captain," said Gordon. "He has been for a number of years and I don't see anybody in that dressing room who is capable of replacing such a big character and a big leader as him.

"You would have to ask everybody individually if they back him. I would hope so, that the vast majority if not everyone would support him. He has been fantastic for us and battled our corner, always putting the players' interests at the front of his mind.

"This is a very upsetting time for him and his family, but big Elvis is one of the strongest characters I know and I know he'll be back from this.

"He is a massive player for us and I just hope we can get him back as soon as possible. I've no idea if this is the end for him. He is 100 per cent committed to Hearts and he wants to play."

Gordon described the scene as jaws dropped to the dressing-room floor yesterday, not for the first time during Romanov's regime: "It was a strange team meeting. I don't think anybody could believe what we were seeing. We weren't given any reasons for Steven's omission. It's hard to take and after the meeting I was annoyed. I had to go away and compose myself."

Having done so, the goalkeeper went out to face Falkirk and produced his customary string of inspiring saves. But for Hartley the evening ended sourly when he was insultingly introduced with just 30 seconds of stoppage time left.

"That was frustrating because Julien [Brellier] had given everything he could," continued Gordon. "He hasn't played for quite some time and it was always going to be tough for him to last the game. We all thought that Paul might have come on a bit sooner to boost our midfield."

Robbie Neilson was an unused substitute, so the question may be whether Romanov is slowly trying to phase out the rebellious Scottish contingent. Was Hartley's asinine substitution designed to provoke the player, or even the support? If so, why?

The Hearts fans are not stupid. The Scottish public are not stupid. We can all recall past acts of defiance against Romanov that have borne severe consequences.

George Burley and Graham Rix both challenged the Russian's interference in team matters and were made to pay with their jobs. Phil Anderton rebelled against the sacking of Burley and was dismissed. Romanov is not a man who tolerates the opinions of others.

Elvis has left the building, indeed. He may subsequently return, but his future at Hearts must be termed questionable under the present regime. And that, Mr Romanov, is what no-one can tolerate.
COUNTDOWN TO CHAOS

3pm: Steven Pressley leaves the Hearts team hotel having been made aware of a plot to strip him of the captaincy. He intimates that he is not in a fit mental state to play against Falkirk.

5pm: News, leaked by a source within the club, begins to filter through to the media that Pressley will play no part in the match with Falkirk.

5.45pm: It is revealed that Pressley's Scotland international team-mates Paul Hartley and Robbie Neilson will also not be in the Jambos' starting XI, although both will be among the substitutes.

6pm: Rumours that Pressley has been dropped are unsubstantiated but it is clear he has not travelled with the Hearts team to the Falkirk Stadium.

7.45pm: The match begins with Eugenijus Riabovas in the stand alongside one of Hearts' sporting directors, Anatoli Korobochka. Riabovas is assessing the club in preparation for assuming coaching duties from Eduard Malofeev in the near future. A chant of "There's only one Steven Pressley" emanates from the Hearts support.

9.04pm: Hearts take the lead through Lithuanian striker Andrius Velicka, his raking shot sneaking in at the near post.

9.24pm: Russell Latapy equalises for Falkirk to compound the misery within the visiting camp. Seconds later acting head coach Malofeev is ordered to the stand by referee Mike McCurry for apparently grappling with the fourth official, John McKendrick.

9.34pm: Paul Hartley is introduced as a substitute for Julien Brellier for the closing seconds and fails to touch the ball during his time on the pitch.

10.15pm: Craig Gordon emerges to tell the media that the squad is behind Pressley.

Taken from the Scotsman