Romanov hints at summer upheaval

Romanov defended his regime at the annual meeting

Hearts chairman Roman Romanov has issued a warning to some better-paid players and confirmed that the club are still seeking a new manager.

He stressed that the squad's size must be cut to reduce Hearts' £37m debt.

Romanov told shareholders at the club's annual meeting that five or six of their highest-earning players were not contributing enough.

And he said they were seeking a "more experienced, more mature person" to take over from caretaker Stevie Frail.

About 400 shareholders attended Friday's meeting, which was was not attended by the chairman's father, owner Vladimir Romanov.

And the chairman was criticised by shareholders for suggesting that the Scottish Premier League was fixed in favour of Glasgow's Old Firm.

"For a very long time in this country, it is a fixed league where Rangers and Celtic win by 30 points," he said.

"Ask yourself how many games this year have been screwed by referees - five games is 15 points."

Those comments dismayed Heart of Midlothian Shareholders' Association chairman Alex Gowans.

"He was very vague when answering questions and then went back to the old hobby-horse of referees and the Old Firm," said Gowans.

"Nobody believes that. I don't know why he's coming out with things like that.

"The reason Rangers and Celtic are at the top of the league is because they are the strongest teams."

Gowans was critical of Romanov's style at the meeting.

"It was a fairly shambolic affair," said Gowans.

"He started out and seemed to be confrontational. That continued and set the tone for the occasion.

"One or two people were maybe out to make a point, but most wanted their questions answered in a proper fashion.

"He appeared to take offence at many of them and he didn't seem to be well prepared.

"In many ways it was a waste of time."

MY SPORT: DEBATE Roman warned that 5-6 of the top earners at the club will be on there way as they haven't performed enough Mr Incognito

Hearts have missed out on a top-six finish in the Scottish Premier League this season but Romanov urged fans to back Frail.

Although Frail has succeeded in improving the team's fortunes since taking sole charge in January, it appears that he has not done enough to be given the manager's job permanently.

Hearts recently released financial figures for the year to July showing an increasing debt burden.

It was stressed at that time that the Edinburgh club were actively taking steps to reduce their wage bill and improve the salary-to-turnover ratio.