ELVIS KEPT THE CLUB ALIVE.. ROMANOV IS GOING TO KILL IT OFF

FORMER Hearts star Jamie McAllister has told Vladimir Romanov to go now before he runs a great club even further into the ground.

McAllister has also hit out at the Gorgie plot to destabilise Steven Pressley as club skipper as a shameful act against a leader who has held the club together for the past 18 months.

Ex-Aberdeen and Livingston full-back McAllister was glad to see the back of Romanov when he quit Tynecastle after two years for Bristol City in the summer.

But he was not glad to leave a dressing room he still cherishes as one of the friendliest in the game, thanks to the influence of Pressley.

McAllister's phone has been red hot in the last 48 hours with Hearts pals confirming the reasons behind Pressley's walk-out before Monday's game against Falkirk.

As Record Sport revealed, Elvis walked after being made aware of a plot to hatch a vote of no confidence in him in retaliation to his high-profile stance against Romanov a fortnight before.

One of Romanov's inner circle, who is not on the playing staff, has been trying to enlist support against Pressley from players at the club, particularly the Lithuanian contingent.

It still remains unclear if Romanov was aware of the underhand plot and if the players approached even considered taking a complaint against Pressley to their paymaster.

But McAllister sees the move as another disastrous chapter in a book of Jambos woe that won't end until Romanov leaves.

He said: "The situation will get worse before it gets better but it will not be resolved for good until Mr Romanov walks away. As long as he remains in charge the club will continue to be a circus.

"The sooner he goes the better for the club because he's only doing it damage now. It has now come to a head and it's got to be sorted for the club to move forward again.

"The club would be better off without him and I'm sure there will be people interested in taking over from him. It's such a massive club and he wouldn't be short of offers.

"I've been speaking to one or two of the boys since the news broke on Monday and I can't believe what they're trying to do to Elvis and the way they are treating someone who commands so much respect in the dressing room.

"There's someone at the club trying to get certain players to badmouth Elvis and they've got a bloody cheek because he's the ultimate professional.

"Hearts would have fallen apart at least 18 months ago if it hadn't been for Elvis. He has kept the club going through all the crap that has been going on and has been a dignified leader who has always looked after the best interests of his team-mates.

"He made that statement with Paul Hartley and Craig Gordon a couple of weeks ago and it was obviously a big step to take.

"But it shows how bad things have become that he felt he needed to make it because he always likes to keep things in-house.

"A few fans have been blinded by the success of the last 12 months but it was only papering over the cracks and the big man clearly had enough and came out and said what he really thinks on something that's been bubbling under for the last 18 months.

"To be honest, all he really called for was stability. He didn't bad mouth anyone and now he is being punished for it.

"I can't believe, only a couple of weeks after he made his statement, they are now trying to do this to a man who is held in such high regard. It's a massive kick in the teeth and I hope the fans see the light to be honest."

The challenge of vying for promotion from League One is a long way from chasing SPL and Scottish Cup glory but 28-year-old McAllister is flying at City where he has quickly established himself as a first-team regular.

He has settled on and off the pitch but admits he misses Hearts because players, particularly Pressley, made the dressing room such an inviting place.

McAllister said: "I'm glad to be away from all the shenanigans that surround Hearts but I'm not glad to be away from the club because I loved my time there.

"I worked with a great bunch of lads under some terrific coaches and the fans were always brilliant. I enjoyed working with Valdas Ivanauskas and thank him for allowing me to leave and play first-team football every week.

"During my time at Hearts Elvis helped build a brilliant atmosphere and even this year, in talking with the boys, he has done his utmost to keep the squad together while all the upheaval has been going on.

"It didn't matter where a new face in the dressing room came from, Elvis was always the first to introduce himself and take the guy around the other players.

"He was a good listener, argued the boys' corner and was always the first to stand up and take issues to the management. He was always there for us and, actually, put himself last.

"Every time the club went through adversity with the appointment and dismissal of managers he took it upon himself to speak on behalf of the team.

"He took it all on his shoulders and was always forthright yet diplomatic and reflected the opinion of the players. He only ever wanted the best for his teammates and the club.

"He came in for training every morning with a smile and trained as he played, with 110 per cent commitment. He's a model pro."

The future of Pressley at Hearts remains in doubt after he asked to be left out of the squad for the visit to Westfield, citing mental pressures brought about by the plot of betrayal.

McAllister is in no doubt the club must do everything in their Power to keep him at the club and even if he is forced to give up the armband he will still be the leader the team needs.

McAllister said: "The fans have got to back Elvis and I know coaches such as John McGlynn, Steve Frail and Jim Stewart will be right behind him.

"As a player working under Romanov you simply have to get on with it. It's amazing he picks the team and if the results don't follow he blames the person who has been put in charge, even though the decisions are his.

"Elvis must be the first name on the team sheet and has got to stay at the club as captain.

"I know the big man will simply want to get back in the squad and be a pro about it.

"Even if he is not the skipper he'll still be the player the rest of the lads look up to. In many ways, captain is just a title anyway.

"He will always be a leader and all the boys at Hearts know that."

Taken from the Daily Record