Romanov not all that Vlad

VALDAS IVANAUSKAS today insisted Vladimir Romanov was not to blame for the stress-related illness which kept him out of football for over a month.

The Lithuanian was forced to take a four-week break from his position as Hearts head coach for health and personal reasons, only returning to the club yesterday. He took temporary leave following the club's 2-0 defeat to Kilmarnock at the start of last month, however, he looked refreshed as he got back to business, taking his first training session with his players.

It was widely accepted that pressure from Romanov and the behind-the-scenes turmoil at the club had contributed to his health issues but Ivanauskas insisted: "Pressure? No. Working with Vladimir is very interesting, but it is not pressure. It may be difficult for other people to understand but I know him very well and he loves this club, it is like his baby.

"I know how he wants things to get better. He wants to make Hearts a big club here and in Europe.

"It is very difficult for him. To make a big club though takes time, it is not a short-term thing. To meet the targets that he wants, you need system and you can buy the best players but you may have to work at the system for two, maybe three, years."

It is hoped that Ivanauskas' return will see Hearts rediscover their form of early season and that the Lithuanian will provide some much-needed stability for the club. In his absence club captain Steven Pressley was dropped following his statement revealing unrest in the dressing room and Paul Hartley, one of the players who supported his stance, was relegated to the bench.

Both players have since been reinstated to the team and Ivanauskas insisted that, contrary to popular belief, Romanov will have no say in who takes to the field for as long as he remains as head coach.

He added: "You know, Vladimir Romanov is a big man for this club and every discussion about the club, he wants to know about. I think that is normal in business. He wants to know about team selection, he wants to know who is playing and who is injured. But as for team selection, he is not here in this country and he is not seeing the players every day on the training pitch so that would not be possible for him to pick the team. The last decision is for the manager."

Ivanauskas revealed that he considered quitting football altogether at the height of his health and personal problems and spoke to Romanov to discuss the possibility of leaving Tynecastle permanently to ensure his own wellbeing. However he admitted that his love for the game was too strong to give it all up: "I spoke to Vladimir about that some time before the Kilmarnock game. I came back because this is my job. I chose to do that, it is my personal decision. I know it will be hard but this is the job that I want to do. It is hard but very interesting, I know it depends on results. I love this game, I love this club and the city, but I think that your health is also very important.

"I have a very good team of doctors and they told me that I can do it although they said maybe I take too much on to myself. But I love this game too much."

Meanwhile, Romanov has claimed that Pressley turned down the chance to take up a coaching role with Hearts.

Stevie Frail was yesterday appointed as assistant to Ivanauskas, filling the role vacated by John McGlynn last week, but Romanov is also keen for Pressley to join the coaching ranks.

Speaking to supporters he said: "I have offered him a coaching position three times. He is doing his coaching certificates and I would offer him a five or ten-year deal tomorrow if he agreed to take on a coaching role."

Taken from the Scotsman