Romanov sets SPL title target

Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov has set his players the goal of winning the Scottish Premier League. Captain Marius Zaliukas revealed that the owner's high expectations were relayed on Monday, when the Russian-born businessman announced that Jim Jefferies would be replaced as manager by Paulo Sergio.Jefferies lost his job despite leading Hearts to third place in what proved to be the only full season of his second spell in charge.His team even provided hope they could challenge the Old Firm, sitting five points behind Celtic in January.But striker Kevin Kyle got injured and Hearts eventually finished 30 points behind champions Rangers, before Jefferies paid the price for a run of one win in 14 matches, which stretched into this season.Zaliukas, speaking at the club's pre-match media conference for their Europa League second leg against Paks, said: "Obviously we know the statistic we didn't win in 14 games."But since the season started I thought it wasn't very bad. We drew at Ibrox and in the Europa League."Okay, we lost at home (against Dundee United). Maybe we should forget the past but probably Romanov didn't forget. He wasn't happy with results."The Lithuania defender added: "In February everyone was talking about a three-horse race for the championship. But we couldn't make it and Vladimir was disappointed."He said in our meeting two days ago that he wants to get the title. Hopefully we're going to do it."When asked if that goal was realistic, he said: "As soon as possible we adapt to what the manager wants from us and we'll see."He said he wants it and we will see in eight months."Zaliukas, for one, was surprised at Romanov's decision to remove Jefferies, who took over from Csaba Laszlo in January 2010.But the players now have to focus on Paks, who come to Tynecastle needing to score following a 1-1 first-leg draw."No-one saw that coming but that's part of football," he said of Jefferies' dismissal."We are going to miss Jim because we had a good relationship."Jim has a history here, he is a good manager and a good man."It was unexpected to everyone but we have to deal with it and focus on the game."Zaliukas was sidelined by Romanov at the start of last season amid a contract impasse and removed from the team to face Rangers in May because referee Iain Brines had sent him off twice previously.The 27-year-old has been at Tynecastle for five years now but the departure of Jefferies, who rejected a role as director of football, shocked even him."I'm not used to it for at least the last couple of years," he said."We had just two managers. Maybe every 18 months it's time to change."

Source: Team_Talk