Romanov won't asset strip Hearts, says Ogilvie

CAMPBELL Ogilvie, Hearts' general secretary, last night tried to reassure supporters that Vladimir Romanov was committed to the club on a long-term basis and had no intention of asset-stripping.

Fans of the Tynecastle team have become increasingly bewildered by recent events which have seen claims of a plot to oust club captain Steven Pressley and yet another managerial change, the seventh in 21 months.

Ogilvie hopes matters between Pressley and club owner Romanov can be resolved. "I have known Steven for many years, he signed for Rangers as a teenager when I was working at Ibrox," Ogilvie explained. "I am fully aware of what he has done, what the club means to Steven and what Steven means to the club."

Ogilvie, speaking at the Hearts Fans' Forum agm, accepted Hearts were experiencing a "difficult period".

"I understand the fans' current concerns," he added. "But I am personally convinced that Mr Romanov is both here for the long haul and not to asset strip the club."

Meanwhile, Craig Gordon's agent has insisted the goalkeeper has no intention of quitting Tynecastle in the near future. Gordon and team-mate Paul Hartley stood shoulder to shoulder with Pressley as he revealed "significant unrest" at Tynecastle three weeks ago.

But Gordon's representative, George Wright, said: "I would say we would probably expect Craig, if he develops the way he has been, to go on to a bigger stage before his contract is up, but certainly not now. His contract has another three years to run and at some stage during that time he'd like to move up another level. But he is happy at the moment and no clubs have made a move."

Taken from the Scotsman