Romanov on 'not firing' Burley, 'psychologically weak' Gordon & appointing Rix
After a press conference from Neil Critchley, we bring you key points on this page. Today, however, there's someone else who has been speaking to BBC Scotland for you to hear from.Vladimir Romanov sat down for an interview with the Romanov: Czar of Hearts podcast, with his contribution published as a special bonus episode after the nine-part series.It goes without saying that much of what Romanov said should be taken with a heavy pinch of salt.Here are the key points from the former Hearts owner's interview:Romanov claims he "did not fire" George Burley, saying he offered him a contract before the then manager "disappeared altogether" after stepping out for a smoke.However, he does concede he should have "focused on finishing the season instead of getting caught up in scandals".Although, according to Vlad, Burley was not the real leader of the side, rather it was his assistant and scout Simon Hunt. Burley and Hunt, he adds, were "two thieves within the team".Despite giving Craig Gordon a supposed blank cheque to stay at the club, Romanov accuses him of having a poor mentality: "Psychologically, he was weak - if things didn't go well, he'd get physically sick, sometimes even vomit."In his first season at Hearts, Romanov "unravelled how referees were recruited" and says "every player and referee in Scottish football was recruited as a fan, either of Celtic or Rangers", leading to those sides being viewed favourably by the authorities.Craig Gordon, Paul Hartley and Steven Pressley all wanted to leave for Celtic, as did manager Burley, according to Romanov, who says Roman Bednar and Rudi Skacel also wanted to move to Celtic Park. Vlad adds: "I was dealing with a revolution right under my nose... the club was almost left without all these key players."On appointing Graham Rix as manager, he hoped they could "stand strong and take on the mafia" and also the media.Never one to doubt his own footballing acumen, he states: "I can work with any coach, even a children's coach, and still achieve great results."On the accusation he, not Rix, picked the team, he says: "It's not Rix who's picking the players - I'm the one buying them."When asked for his initial reaction to the Riccarton Three incident, he says it was a "betrayal," adding: "And then there's the question: 'How do I go to Celtic for more money?' It was just an excuse - a cover for betrayal."You may remember Vlad's famous boxing match with Bednar, where he now claims the towering Czech forward "ran off, and that's how it all played out".For much, much more from Romanov you can listen to the bonus episode here on BBC Sounds.The people discussed by Romanov were given a right to reply. These can be found in the bonus episode.
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