Romanov shrugs off bid talk

Ewan Murray
Saturday November 18, 2006
The Guardian

The Hearts owner, Vladimir Romanov, has denied any suggestion that he is poised to sell his 80% shareholding in the Edinburgh club as reports surfaced in the city that a consortium was planning to launch a takeover bid.

The consortium, which includes the businessmen Pat Munro and Fred Wood, held talks with Hearts before Romanov took control 18 months ago but the Lithuanian banker has stressed he retains a long-term vision for the club.

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"No offer has been received by Mr Romanov and he has not heard about the offer," said a source close to him. "It wouldn't be welcomed because he has no interest in selling the club. There is no concept of him walking away; he is committed to making a success of the project. He won't be deflected from his goal."

The exact nature of that goal will become more apparent within the next six weeks when Hearts issue the annual accounts. An annual meeting will follow before the end of January, with current on-field problems and constant changing of managers leaving supporters increasingly perplexed by Romanov's actions. Although the consortium involved would appear to lack the means required to oust Romanov, discussions are likely soon within the local business community regarding Hearts' future.

The Lithuanian has proved that, without anything like the Glasgow clubs' outlay on players, it is possible to challenge the Old Firm's domination. That has not gone unnoticed in the business world, and Romanov's resolve may yet be tested with a significant formal bid for his shares. One major impediment to such a coup, however, is that Hearts' debt is understood to be increasing at a rapid rate.

Scenes of confusion surrounded the pre-match press conference yesterday, with no member of the coaching staff willing to speak to the assembled media about tomorrow's visit of Rangers.

Steven Pressley, who missed Monday's match at Falkirk after discovering an alleged plot to strip him of the captaincy, is unlikely to return to the side. If the 33-year-old does play, though, it seems certain he will not assume his previous role after it was revealed that the young defender Christophe Berra has written the captain's notes for the match programme.

Taken from the Guardian/Observer