Football news: Romanov ready to reduce £30m debt at Hearts

HEARTS owner Vladimir Romanov is set to boost the club's off-field fortunes this summer by wiping out part of their £30million debt, according to Tynecastle director Sergejus Fedotovas.

The banker's right-hand man Fedotovas has told supporters the board are considering ideas of how to reduce their financial problems and could write off part of the debt, which is lodged with Romanov's Ukio Bankas in Lithuania, as a gift.

Hearts, who will announce a marginal increase in their arrears when the latest set of results are released in the coming weeks, had their financial position eased in July 2008 when 12m of debt was converted into shares.

Fedotovas said: "We are looking to address the debt, hopefully after this season ends. We'll be looking to address the debt situation with either a gift of the debt to the club, or swapped into equity – or it will be a mix of both possibilities. I can't give you exact details of when or what amounts that will be but we're in discussions. Primarily we are looking to do it this summer."

Witteveen joins Morton

HEARTS striker David Witteveen has been loaned out to First Division Morton until the end of the season and made his debut in yesterday's game with Airdrie United.

The 24-year-old was brought in by Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov from Red Bull Salzburg in the summer, but scored his only first-team goal in August. He made the last of his 11 appearances in January and has not featured since Jim Jefferies took over as manager from the sacked Csaba Laszlo.

Morton striker Iain Russell has been loaned out to Stirling Albion.

Bairns eye Dutch striker

FALKIRK are weighing up a move for Dutch midfielder Etienne Reijnen. The Bairns have had the Zwolle player watched but any move for the 22-year-old, who has scored one goal in 22 matches for the Dutch First Division outfit, hinges on Steven Pressley's side avoiding relegation from the SPL this term.

Marseille win cup

MARSEILLE ended their 17-year wait for a trophy when they beat Bordeaux 3-1 in the French League Cup final. Marseille defeated the Ligue 1 champions with goals in quick succession after the break by defender Souleymane Diawara and substitute midfielder Mathieu Valbuena.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored for the third straight match to hand Barcelona a 1-0 win at Real Mallorca and send the champions three points clear at the top of La Liga.

Largs through to semis

LARGS Thistle will take on Clydebank in the semi-final of the Emirates Scottish Junior Cup after beating Irvine Meadow 1-0 in yesterday's quarter-final replay thanks to Ross McMillan's 66th-minute goal.

Coldstream were relagated from the East of Scotland League Premier Division after a 1-0 defeat at Whitehill Welfare, who must win all nine of their remaining matches to prevent Spartans from winning the title. Robbie Manson scored twice as Spartans won 6-0 away to Heriot-Watt University.