Romanov absence makes cracks grow wider

THE absence of Vladimir Romanov, Hearts' majority shareholder, from a seat in the directors' box at Tynecastle for the visit of Rangers at the weekend was unusual, in as much as the Lithuanian banker nearly always seemed to find the time to attend the club's most important matches in the dear old days when supporters bellowed his name to the melody of an aria from Verdi's Rigoletto.

Bearing in mind all the upheaval that has gripped Hearts ever since the 'Riccarton Three' - Steven Pressley, Paul Hartley and Craig Gordon - revealed "significant unrest" in the dressing-room and internal dissatisfaction with how the club was being run, it came as no great surprise when Romanov chose to snub the game.

Yet, at a time when Hearts are being dragged deeper and deeper into a catastrophic black hole of non-communication, it's only reasonable to ask where the owner is when the club need him to provide short term solutions to pressing problems as well as offering a reminder of his long term vision?

As a successful entrepreneur with a ruthless streak, it would surely be an error to mistake Romanov's recent absence for any sense of apprehension about his unpopularity. Those close to the Lithuanian will tell you his diary was always pretty full during November and that, while Hearts are the most high profile element of his empire, other businesses abroad also demand his attention.

If you're looking for a rational explanation of a puzzling absence, it may be that Romanov is reluctant to put in an appearance at Tynecastle until he can facilitate an escape route from the current impasse. There are very few self-made millionaires who lack shrewdness and Romanov will know Hearts are like any business which experiences internal divisions. And the last thing the club needs right now is another almighty row.

Given his reputation for causing upheaval in an empty room, could it be that Romanov, 58, is trying to show a measure of restraint and wants to see tempers cool before he intervenes?

Certainly, there had seemed to be some provision for the former seaman to visit Scotland this weekend and take part in a PR initiative on Loch Ness to publicise a cause close to his heart. Romanov, apparently, believes the survivors of the K19 submarine disaster should be considered for the Nobel peace prize and wants to promote this point of view abroad. In the midst of the current brouhaha at Hearts, however, the stunt would surely have backfired and degenerated into farce.

Perhaps, by staying away, Romanov also believes he can eventually put Humpty Dumpty back together again. A little over a year since he made it possible for George Burley to field arguably the best Hearts' team since the days of the Terrible Trio, Romanov's interfering management style has eroded the goodwill of players and fans alike and plunged the club into crisis.

If it was at least understandable, before the departure of Ivanasukas from the dug-out and the sidelining of Pressley as captain, why Romanov felt the need to step back from speaking his mind so often, the subsequent communication void at the centre of Heart of Midlothian has succeeded only in damaging the club's relationship with its own supporters.

It could even be argued the lack of information coming out of the club is more damaging to the owner's reputation than a blunt or unpopular reappraisal of where Hearts are heading next.

On the other hand, it was intriguing to hear both Raith Rovers bound coach John McGlynn and Foulkes make the point this week that Romanov still has an opportunity to sort out the mess at Tynecastle and take the club forward.

Bearing in mind a meeting earlier this week between G10, the group which represents various supporters' organisations, and Campbell Ogilvie, Hearts' general secretary, made the need for imminent discussions plain, Romanov must be aware of how fast the situation has deteriorated.

The trouble with Hearts is that no one, truthfully, knows what the majority shareholder has in mind for the club apart from the man himself. That's why there are more question marks than answers. And, for the moment, Romanov seems determined to keep his own counsel.

Taken from the Scotsman