Foulkes still believes in Romanov

Former Hearts chairman George Foulkes has revealed that he believes club owner Vladimir Romanov may be ready to listen to advice.

The Lithuanian owner's popularity with supporters has plummeted after recent spats with captain Steven Pressley.

The latest row began with Pressley's claims of "unrest" among the players.

However, speaking at the launch of the book, "Believe", chronicalling recent events at Tynecastle, Foulkes claimed the Lithuanian would see reason.

"There have been some inklings that he realises his popularity has plummeted," said Foulkes. "If he wants to be successful - not just with the club but with any other business ventures in and around Edinburgh - he needs to bring people along with him.

"People close to him have been trying over the last few weeks to get the message over that he has to take notice of other people's feelings - the players and the fans," added the former chairman.

In another twist to the ongoing saga at Hearts, the chairman of the Hearts Supporters Trust has responded angrily to suggestions from the club's sport director Alex Koslovski that Hearts supporters are xenophobic.

Koslovski claimed that Lithuanian players for the club were booed by supporters due to their nationality during Sunday's defeat to Rangers.

However, Derek Watson from the Hearts Trust told the Daily Record PM: "They can't accuse anybody of racism - that couldn't be further from the truth.

"Two or three players were criticised yesterday but that's because they weren't playing well. Who doesn't criticise players sometimes?" added Watson.