ROMANOV MUST LISTEN TO US - FOULKES

Former chairman George Foulkes believes Vladimir Romanov could finally be willing to listen to advice on running Hearts.

Romanov, the club's majority shareholder, has seen his popularity fall to an all-time low following recent events.

Steven Pressley's revelation that there was "significant unrest" in the dressing room has led to Jambos' supporters taking a different view of the Lithuanian banker, who was previously a popular figure at Tynecastle.

Speaking at the launch of 'Believe' - a book which chronicles the unrest at Tynecastle in the past two seasons - Foulkes said: "There have been some inklings that he realises his popularity has plummeted.

"If he wants to be successful - not just with the club but with any other business ventures in and around Edinburgh - he needs to bring people along with him.

"He has got a very high opinion of himself.

"People close to him have been trying over the last few weeks to get the message over that he has to take notice of other people's feelings - the players and the fans."

Hearts have been criticised for ignoring their supporters recently with the coaching staff refusing to speak to the media on several occasions.

However, Romanov may now sit up and take notice after fans vented their anger at him in the wake of Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Rangers in the Bank of Scotland Premier League by staging a protest outside the main stand.

Foulkes insists his former employer must heed the advice of those associated with the club if he is to be successful.

He added: "If he goes forward in his own way and is ultimately successful, then okay, he will be proved right.

"But I think there are so many voices now, not just one or two of us crying in the wilderness, who are saying to him there is a positive way forward that involves bringing the fans along with him.

"If he wants his name to be sung from the stands again - which he seemed to enjoy - he needs to take account of other people."

Taken from sportinglife.com