Romanov fires transfer warning

10 April 2010 10:18

Vladimir Romanov has vowed to back new Hearts manager Jim Jefferies in the transfer market, but warned he will no longer tolerate "mercenaries" at Tynecastle.

Majority shareholder Romanov made a surprise visit to the club's Riccarton training base on Friday morning and appears set to make an increasingly-rare appearance at a match: Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League game against Kilmarnock.

In an open letter to supporters on the club's official website, the controversial Lithuanian-based businessman said: "There is always an opportunity to strengthen the team. This time, we will be looking to bring more patriot - or club-minded than commercially-minded players, those who want to play and contribute to the development of the club and themselves - not those who are mercenaries."

Romanov continued: "The challenge for the next transfer window is to find the right players to help the club move forward and we will be progressing this work."

But Romanov also reiterated his belief the club should focus as much as possible on developing young players, singling out those currently in the team for special praise.

He said: "There are a few people perhaps that require or deserve the recognition: Andrew Driver, Lee Wallace, Eggert Jonsson, both Thomsons (Jason and Craig), Arvydas Novikovas, David Templeton, and Scott Robinson. I hope to name many more soon."

And in a typically-outspoken jibe both at the club's detractors and the many managers he has hired and fired since taking over at Tynecastle five years ago, he said: "We hope to continue the development of all areas of the club so we grow stronger and stronger in order to achieve more trophy moments, regardless of what anyone says or does.

"It is also good news that Jim Jefferies is the manager for, at last, I am working with someone who is truly professional and cares about the club.

"He cares about the players and recognises the importance of the development of young players."

Emphasising his commitment to redeveloping the main stand at Tynecastle, despite slashing the budget for the project, he said: "We hope that we will soon be able to accommodate our supporters in the new stand - this is a project we are determined to complete and bring new, more enjoyable facilities to supporters."

Source: PA