Jambo David nails the double with another SPL young player

DAVID TEMPLETON today claimed the Clydesdale Bank SPL Young Player of the Month award for the second consecutive month as reward for another thrilling run of performances in December.

The Hearts winger continued the scintillating form which earned him November's accolade and has now made it two in a row. He was due to receive his award from the SPL sponsors at Riccarton this morning.

Templeton, now 22, scored twice in four games during December following on from his tally of three goals the previous month. He has evolved into a key component of the Hearts side this season and has also been tipped for full international recognition with Scotland when the inaugural Carling Nations Cup begins next month.

He appeared as a substitute in Hearts' Scottish Cup fourth-round defeat by St Johnstone on Tuesday evening but is in contention to start Saturday's SPL visit to Dundee United.

Meanwhile, Hearts' majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov is preparing to withdraw financial backing for football in Lithuania and invest in the Russian club Saturn Ramenskoye.

The Moscow-based side are deep in financial trouble after the city's regional government stopped funding. Romanov is willing to ride to their rescue to avoid any penalties being imposed by the Russian Football Federation.

"I was approached about it at the end of last year," said Romanov. "I have always had interest in Russian football and it doesn't cool down.

At the moment it is all just at the stage of an offer. Evidently, now I need to meet the owners of Saturn or any competent officials who represent it. How much is (Saturn's debt) in US dollars? $26 million? Debts are a natural thing in football clubs," he continued. Asked why he wanted to invest in Russian football, he said: "It's out of pure interest. Since in Lithuania they do not have football any more, I need to develop it elsewhere. I will probably transfer some of my players (in Lithuania] to Russia."

The move is not expected to effect his backing for Hearts.

Romanov added that he has grown tired of football in Lithuania. Asked if he would be travelling to Moscow soon, he replied: "If they invite me, I will come. I want to get rid of my football business in Lithuania where there is no real football any more."

Romanov was expecting SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster and chairman Ralph Topping in Lithuania today to consult the Hearts owner on his views over league reconstruction.