Romanov quells Hearts fans

Scottish Hearts fans have declared a temporary truce in their battles against Vladimir Romanov.

Fans had shown their discontent with the running of the club by protesting against Romanov after last week's defeat by Rangers. But after meeting with the majority shareholder, the two sides seem to have come to an understanding.

"He was able to address a number of concerns," Alex Gowans, chairman of the shareholders group, told BBC Sport. "We were worried about the stability of the club following the constant changes of coaches and team performance."

Roughly 200 fans gathered outside Tynecastle last weekend after captain Steven Pressley was omitted from the starting lineup for a second week. He had previously spoken of player dissatisfaction.

Head coach Valdas Ivanauskas has been missing for five weeks, with Hearts claiming it was due to bad health. His place has been taken by Eduard Malofeev.

Malofeev was then said to be leaving to complete a coaching course, with Lithuanian Kaunas manager Eugenijus Riabovas lined up as replacement.

But Hearts announced Friday that Ivanauskas would return, and he watched Saturday's 0-0 draw with Inverness from the stands.

Romanov also assured the unhappy fans that Steven Pressley would remain club captain.

"Valdas has returned and will bring a lot of stability to the coaching side," Gowans said. "And we urge all Hearts fans to get behind him and the team. One of the factors has been that Valdas was away for four to five weeks. Malofeev experimented with a few things and they did not work out."

Various fans groups released a joint statement claiming "Romanov shares" the groups' concerns.

Romanov spokesman Charlie Mann discounted stories that Romanov preferred players brought in from Kaunas, which is sponsored by Romanov.

"He wants to see Hearts having 70 percent Scottish players and for Scottish people to be around the club," Mann said.

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.