THEY'RE BACK

VLADIMIR ROMANOV jetted back into Scotland yesterday with Valdas Ivanauskas and told Hearts fans he is ready to listen.

The Jambos owner revealed to Record Sport he will not walk away from his crisis-torn club because he still has so much to achieve.

Romanov appeared in Edinburgh yesterday morning, easing earlier fears he would not be seen at the club again until next month.

He immediately set about returning much-needed stability to his Scottish Cup holders after a civil war that has left them in turmoil.

Ivanauskas met with his players at Riccarton yesterday afternoon after a month off through ill health and told them he'll be back in charge first thing on Monday morning. Furthermore, the Hearts team sheet at Inverness today is likely to include the return of Steven Pressley and Robbie Neilson to the starting line-up.

Romanov also held a two-hour talk-in at Tynecastle yesterday with members of the influential G10 group of Hearts supporters.

The club owner broke his self-imposed vow of silence with the media to tell Record Sport, via director of infrastructure Pedro Lopez, he was here to mend fences. He also dismissed reports linking a consortium with a takeover of the club and insists it's not for sale.

However, he declined to comment on the row with skipper Pressley and any proposed plans to meet his players over the weekend.

He also refused to be drawn on the protests against him by fans following the defeat to Rangers last Sunday.

Romanov said: "I don't want to speak, I'm here to listen. But who says I'm ready to sell the club? It's not true - do you think I've achieved everything I want for Hearts? Ihave not."

He then made a zipping action across his mouth and added:"I don't want to say any more - and my silence may last longer than amonth."

Ivanauskas, who returned to Lithuania on October 22, said: "I needed a rest and now I feel good. I start back on Monday with the team. My problems are my problems but I feel good and ready."

Romanov had earlier held court with his coaching staff, including fit again Ivanauskas, at the Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club.

One resident, who didn't want to be named, said there were so many raised voices coming from the Hearts meeting room that hotel staff apologised to other guests.

The hotel refused to comment but coaches such as Ivanauskas, Eduard Malofeev and Anatoliy Korobochka looked far from irate as they left after 1pm.

Taken from the Daily Record