Romanov talks of player betrayal

Romanov has been critical of the Scottish press

Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov has broken his silence over the departure of former club captain Steven Pressley.

Scotland defender Pressley was released after criticising Romanov's handling of the club and has since joined Celtic.

Speaking to Belorussian magazine Pressball, Romanov said: "In Scotland we have to fight not in the sporting sense, but against constant intrigues."

On Pressley's departure, he added: "There was no conflict whatsoever, there was a banal betrayal."

Romanov added: "Players sold themselves for the striped shirts they were promised; they decided that these were so valuable that they could allow themselves to behave the way they did."

And, when asked if this was a reference to Celtic, he replied: "I don't know. To prison uniforms."

Hearts duo Paul Hartley and Craig Gordon flanked Pressley when he spoke out about dressing room unrest.

Both players have been subject to internal disciplinary hearings and Romanov may be tempted to sell the pair.

Read Romanov's interview in full

"Hearts are ahead of schedule in their development plan but non-football issues need to be put right," continued Romanov

"They are created by our rivals, who together with the press systematically accuse us of all kinds of non-existent sins."

When quizzed about head coach Valdas Ivanauskas' leave of absence last year, Romanov said: "I didn't relieve him of his duties - he took ill, and so wasn't able to work.

"And (Eduard) Malofeev was there, so I didn't see a big problem in Ivanauskas being temporarily absent.

"It was simply that there were issues that were impossible to resolve. It was this that was harming Valdas's health.

"Subsequently, it was impossible to normalise the situation unless we removed footballers who did not want to play against Celtic, Rangers and other teams."