Romanov: Czar of Hearts
We asked for your question to put to the Romanov: Czar of Hearts production team earlier in the week.Here are a few answers from the show's producer James Christie:Fraser asked: How did you actually track Vlad down? How hard was it?James answered: When we started the podcast we genuinely didn't believe it would be possible to track him down.It was when talking to Jonas Miklovas, the basketball journalist from episode eight, we discovered he actually went to Moscow to interview him in 2018-ish, but since then his contact had changed.Last year I was in a WhatsApp conversation with someone in Russia about the podcast and they casually let slip: "I wished him a happy birthday last year." He then spoke to Vladimir for me and sent me his number.That led to a couple of months of chatting via text before we finally got him into the studio in Russia. So all in all, nowhere near as hard as we, or anyone else, probably imagined.Dave asked: Brilliant series! Loved the testimonies from the players, staff and journalists etc of the time. As a diehard Jambo, I was surprised to learn new stuff relating to Romanov's 'shenanigans' like they got close to appointing Claudio Raineri. What other big names were Romanov's team talking to - players, managers, KGB etc?James answered: This didn't make the podcast as we couldn't properly verify it, but Vladimir did an interview with a Russian news outlet and in it he claimed Guus Hiddink had approached him to become Hearts manager.He says Hiddink wanted £500,000 but that was too much. Vlad also stated he was looking for a like-minded person and not a star. Another potential case of what could've been.Cameron asked: Hi guys, the show was incredible. Best podcast I've heard. How difficult was it not just getting Vlad but all your other guests, particularly those from Lithuania? I really hope you make more deep dives into other football stories like this.James answered: I think the passage of time was one of the key reasons we were able to interview a few of the people from within Vlad's inner circle at Hearts. I'm not sure Sergejus Fedotovas would've spoken to us 10 years ago for instance.A lot of people's first response when I called them about the podcast was "This is such a good idea". The fact they were aware just how incredible a story it was helped a lot with getting people to agree to take part.Beth asked: Is it true he lives/lived in a nuclear submarine in Russia?James answered: A few years ago he gave an interview to Russian TV at the submarine and this has been mistranslated in a few newspapers that he'd spent all his money on the submarine and was now living in it.As far as I know he has never lived in it. In fact, it's actually just a small section of the K-19 submarine that Vlad managed to save before it was scrapped.If you look around the internet there are a few videos showing you inside it. It is very much just a hollow steel shell, I really don't believe anyone could spend a night in it let alone live in it.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Putin's secret daughter, 22, ‘working in anti-war art galleries in Paris' after ‘ditching tyrant's name'
She vanished from Russian social media shortly before the start of the war TAKE VLAD Putin's secret daughter, 22, 'working in anti-war art galleries in Paris' after 'ditching tyrant's name' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) VLADIMIR Putin's alleged secret daughter is reportedly working at two Parisian art galleries that showcase anti-Kremlin and anti-war exhibitions. Elizaveta Krivonogikh, 22 – also known as Luiza Rozova and now Elizaveta Rudnova – is said to be rubbing shoulders with Russian dissidents and Ukrainian artists in the French capital. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Elizaveta Krivonogikh, also known as Elizaveta Rudnova, is said to be Vladimir Putin's secret daughter Credit: East2West 6 The 22-year-old is reportedly working at two art galleries in Paris Credit: Social media 6 She is said to be Putin's offspring with his former long-term lover Svetlana Krivonogikh Credit: Elizaveta Krivonogikh 6 One of the galleries is said to be Espace Albatros in the neighbourhood of Montreuil Credit: Google Maps Reports say she is working at L Galerie in Belleville and Espace Albatros in Montreuil, despite being the daughter of a regime responsible for the war they oppose. She also reportedly dropped the Putin-linked name and adopted one tied to Oleg Rudnov, a late Vlad ally - in an apparent attempt to mask her ties to the Kremlin tyrant. Her role as gallery manager includes helping organise shows and make videos, according to outlet Meduza. But it has seemed to spark fury among exiled Russians and Ukrainians. Artist Nastya Rodionova, who fled Russia in 2022, said she couldn't stay silent. In a Facebook post, she wrote: 'It's important to say that I believe in the presumption of innocence and that children are not responsible for the crimes of their parents. 'But with the war reaching its heights it is inadmissible to allow a person who comes from a family of beneficiaries of [Putin's] regime to come into confrontation with the victims of that regime. 'We need to know who we are working with and decide whether we are ready for that. My personal answer in this case is no.' Gallery director Dmitry Dolinsky, meanwhile, defended Rudnova's role. Putin warns Trump he 'will have to respond' to Ukraine's daring drone attack in hour-long phone call with president 'She looks like Putin but so do 100,000 other people. I haven't seen a DNA test.' Some insiders back her, calling her a 'cultured person' and 'excellent worker'. But Rodionova hit back, warning that victims of the war shouldn't be forced to share space with anyone tied to the regime – alleged daughter or not. Rudnova's mother, Svetlana Krivonogikh, was sanctioned by the UK in 2023 and linked to Putin's inner circle by independent Russian media. She reportedly owns property worth $100million and was outed as Putin's former mistress by the Proekt investigative team. Elizaveta vanished from Russian social media shortly before the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. She once flaunted a lavish lifestyle on Instagram, posting photos in designer clothes, sipping champagne, and DJing under the name Luiza Rozova. Ukrainian TV later claimed she was living in Paris with a passport under the name Rudnova, allegedly ditching the patronymic Vladimirovna, which would confirm her father's name as Vladimir. 6 Elizaveta would often flaunt her wealth with social media posts Credit: East2West 6 She also allegedly ditched her tyrant dad's surname Credit: East2West Born in March 2003, Elizaveta has never publicly confirmed a link to the Russian tyrant. The Kremlin has never confirmed her existence either. But the timing of her birth, her resemblance to Putin, and her mother's major financial rise have fuelled years of speculation. Kremlin critics say she is part of the hidden empire Putin has built for his inner circle and family. Officially, Putin only acknowledges two daughters, Maria and Katerina, from his marriage to Lyudmila Putina, whom he divorced in 2014. But it's long been rumoured he has more children — including two sons with former gymnast Alina Kabaeva.
Scotsman
4 hours ago
- Scotsman
Hearts icon Craig Gordon addresses Scotland future with 27-year record on the horizon
Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon is ready to write another chapter in his storied career announcing his testimonial at Tynecastle. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Walking through the door of the Hearts dressing room, a number of his most memorable jerseys hanging on display, the imposing figure of Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon gives a knowing smile and admits 'fairytales don't happen very often in football'. Donning a crisp white T-shirt with the date of his testimonial imprinted on his left chest, the iconic stopper is gearing up for another campaign in maroon having recently signed a one-year contract extension with the club, and will celebrate his astonishing Hearts career by welcoming former club Sunderland for a pre-season friendly on July 26. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A career which seemingly has no expiry date, his 43rd birthday is just around the corner, yet it would surprise no one if he lined up for Scotland at next summer's World Cup should they qualify. His career already one to be admired, there's a confidence about Gordon that knows he has, at least, one more chapter to write. Craig Gordon's £9million move to Sunderland broke a British transfer record in 2007. | Getty Images Hearts and Sunderland are two clubs who have played a pivotal role in Gordon's story. He won the first trophy of his career when his penalty shootout save from Gretna's Derek Townsley helped the Jambos lift the Scottish Cup in 2006. Named the SFWA's Player of the Year in the same year, he was the youngest player to be inducted into the club's Hall Of Fame at the age of 24 just a year later. His Gorgie success paved the way for a move to the English Premier League. Gordon became the most expensive goalkeeper in the history of British football when he completed a £9million transfer to Sunderland in the summer of 2007. He was brought to the Stadium of Light by Roy Keane, who had lit a fire under the Wearsiders in the previous campaign, taking them from the bottom of the EFL Championship all the way to the Premier League in little under eight months. One of the best young goalkeepers in the country, Gordon's arrival was a signal of intent from the Black Cats, evidence that they were back amongst the big boys. Beating Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 with a dramatic late goal on his Premier League debut, his start to life in the English top flight couldn't have gone much better. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It was packed out,' recalls Gordon. 'It was rocking that day. They'd just been promoted, I had missed the build-up and was chucked in just a few days before, but we won the game deservedly. To nick it late on in the first excitement and the buzz of the whole ground. Even outside, coming in on the bus, I remember thinking 'wow, this is a huge club'. That is why I'm delighted they are back in the Premier League now. I wish them all the best for the season.' A regular for Sunderland in his debut campaign, the team avoided relegation with two games to spare. However, three months into the following season, a debilitating spell with injuries started to derail his time at the Stadium of Light. Originally sidelined with a knee problem, Keane had already resigned by the time Gordon was fit enough to return. Battling his way back into the starting XI under new manager Steve Bruce, a broken arm suffered in a collision with Jermain Defoe in a 2-0 defeat at Spurs put him out for three months. Injury followed injury, restricting him to just one appearance in the final year of his contract on Wearside. Before he knew it, his time at Sunderland was over. Released in 2012, the toughest period of his long and storied career ensued. Without a club for over two years, Gordon admits he wondered if his professional career had already come to a shuddering end, as he contemplated quitting the game for good at the age of just 29. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Craig Gordon thought he'd said his Scotland goodbye in last June's pre-Euro 2024 friendly with Finland at Hampden Park. | Getty Images 'When I left Sunderland, probably for the first year, I thought I wouldn't play again,' says Gordon. 'I wasn't particularly trying to get back. I thought my career was more than likely over, until I got into the second year. Through time, it started to repair and got a little bit better. That second year, as that went on, I thought maybe I could try this again. 'I started the rehab process again, gave it 100% and thought 'let's see as many specialists as I can, get as many opinions and I'll make the decision' - I gave it one last shot for another year. If that was the last year, then so be it, but I would have known I gave it everything to have one last shot. Luckily I managed to turn the corner - and I am still going now.' Eventually finding his way back to the professional game, Gordon joined Celtic in 2014 where he stayed for six years, winning five Scottish Premiership titles, five Scottish League Cups and two Scottish Cups in the process, before sealing an emotional return to Hearts in the summer of 2020. A regular in the starting XI, Gordon won more silverware with Hearts as they won the Scottish Championship at a canter, returning to the top flight at the first time of asking. Named the SFWA Footballer of the Year once again the following season, he continued to defy critics by making his long awaited return to the Scotland squad under Steve Clarke. Coined 'Scotland's Peter Pan' by former Celtic teammate Callum McGregor, his vital penalty save in the 2-0 win World Cup qualifying win against Moldova in November 2021 was proof that Gordon was far from done at international level. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It feels like I've had two separate careers,' smiles Gordon. 'They've both been about as long as each other. I've gotten more out of the game than I thought I would. It's just the way it's kind of panned out for me. It felt like a bonus when I first got back playing in Scotland, like time I was never going to get again. But as time has gone on, I've been able to play many, many more games back at international level. It's been two separate journeys, but two very enjoyable ones.' A consistent theme throughout the 42-year-old's career, Gordon continues to upset the odds in 2025. Left out of the Scotland squad for the European Championship in Germany last summer, his late appearance as a substitute in a pre-tournament friendly against Finland felt like a final farewell, with Gordon confessing he himself thought his international career had finally ended as waved goodbye to the sold out Hampden Park crowd when leaving the field following the 2-2 draw. Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon has signed a new one-year contract extension. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group) | SNS Group Just four months later, he was included in the Scotland starting XI for the clash with Croatia in October 2024. Keeping his place until the end of the Nations League campaign, Gordon played a further five times for the Tartan Army as they made the Nations League playoffs, meaning he is now a mere ten appearances away from equalling Jim Leighton's record of being the most capped Scotland goalkeeper of all time - a record which has stood for 27 years. 'You never know what's going to happen in football,' admits Gordon. 'I thought that was my farewell appearance, I didn't expect to be back. All I did was refocus on pre-season with Hearts, and be the best I could be for Hearts. That's all I know. Get back to work and try to be the best version of myself that I know. I managed to get back in as the number one for Hearts, and then six more appearances for Scotland after that. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I'm very proud and privileged to have had such a long career. So many highs along the way, making my debut at Hearts, coming through as a youngster. 1999 was the first time I came in here, right through to winning the Scottish Cup, to leaving to go to Sunderland, playing in the Premier League - one of the best league's in the world, to go and test yourself against the best player was fantastic. Then coming back to, first of all, Celtic and then Hearts. Winning trophies along the way, it's been some journey.
Glasgow Times
11 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Reece James hoping to make it a family affair on the England scene this summer
The Chelsea defender wants to pin down his place in Thomas Tuchel's side in the upcoming games against Andorra and Senegal while his sister Lauren has overcome injury to be named in the Lionesses squad for Euro 2025 in July. James is delighted for his younger sister and knows the siblings are making their parents proud. Reece James is hoping to nail his position down in Thomas Tuchel's side (Bradley Collyer/PA) 'I'm delighted for her,' the right-back said. 'She obviously got injured with England at the back end of the season, and I'm happy she got selected to represent England going into another Euros. 'I've spoken to her briefly yesterday, I know she's focused on training and trying to get her body right for the tournament. 'The family are very much happy. Both of us representing our country, they're proud.' James has some competition if he wants to make the right-back position his own for next summer's World Cup, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kyle Walker also in contention. The 25-year-old has had an excellent campaign for Chelsea, leading them to Europa Conference League glory and Champions League qualification, with the chance of more silverware to come with the start of the Club World Cup later this month. He believes he is going in the 'right direction' and is not fazed by competition for places. 'I had a difficult two or three seasons, always being injured and coming back and breaking down again, and it was tough,' he admitted. 'It takes a lot out of you when you have so many setbacks. 'This season, I feel like I've come on leaps and bounds, playing on a consistent basis, getting selected for England again. I'm feeling strong, and for sure, I'm moving in the right direction. 'It's something I'm used to, playing or competing with world-class players. 'They're two phenomenal players in my position. 'And yes, of course, it's going to be tough. But we all have different capabilities and different strengths, just whichever one the manager wants to play.'
