Capital bid to buy out Vlad

A CONSORTIUM organised from Edinburgh has claimed it has made an offer to a representative of Vladimir Romanov with a view to buying out the Hearts owner.

The group, spearheaded by a prominent Capital entrepreneur with influential contacts overseas, does not wish to be identified at this stage.

But is understood that the initial approach met with a pledge to put the bid direct to Mr Romanov.
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Speaking exclusively to the Evening News the bid organiser, who insisted on anonymity, said: "We have submitted an undisclosed figure to Lithuania, based on what we think the club is worth and are encouraged meantime by the promise from a Romanov adviser to pass the matter to the man himself.

"The hope is that our offer will be considered but we are realistic - Mr Romanov is liable to counter with a figure of his own.

"In any case that would be one way to take matters forward and I believe Mr Romanov has got to have some sort of price in mind, were he to sell at this stage."

The would-be owner, a long time Hearts supporter, says he has done most of the spadework himself in securing promises of funding.

"I have got things moving but there are investors out there known to me who would be willing to release Hearts' debt with a view to taking the club forward."

It has been estimated that it could take around £30million to buy out Romanov, who assumed control as majority shareholder last year.

Fundamental to the consortium's long-term strategy would be installing an individual extremely well known to Hearts fans in the manager's chair.

The group are also known to be actively seeking input from both at home and abroad to build up a picture of what might convince Vladimir Romanov to hand over his stake.

An insider associated with the bid said: "We are making contact with a number of people who might be in a position to tell us what it would take to return Heart of Midlothian FC to nearer its roots.

"There is no harm to be done by talking if the existing owners are prepared to enter into dialogue. One way or another we want to assist Hearts from their present turmoil and seeking talks with the present owners to convince them we are serious would appear the logical first step."

However, the Evening News has been told that no offer has been received by Romanov and that any approach would be rebuffed by the Lithuanian, who does not want to sell.

The bid source added that all options remained open including Mr Romanov retaining a position close to the club in some capacity other than as principal shareholder. The Russian has come under fire from supporters and players alike in recent weeks after employing seven first-team coaches in his short reign and admitting that he had a hand in team selection.

Matters came to a head a fortnight ago when club captain Steven Pressley and Scotland team-mates Paul Hartley and Craig Gordon revealed the manner in which the club was being run had created "significant dressing-room unrest." Last week, Pressley was missing from the Hearts line-up against Falkirk after reportedly uncovering a plot to oust him as skipper.

Martin Laidlaw, chairman of the Hearts Supporters' Trust was among fans' representatives who met with Romanov and warned him that their club needed to find stability or risk reversing the progress which has been made under his ownership so far.

Laidlaw today refused to comment on the latest development, but members of the Trust, the Federation, the Fans' Forum and the Shareholders' Association are to meet with Campbell Ogilvie, Hearts' general secretary and operations director, and communications director David Southern for more showdown talks.

Romanov will not be present at the meeting on Monday night, although the supporters' groups are to demand face-to-face talks with him as soon as possible.

Taken from the Scotsman