Romanov opens his heart to fans on Jefferies and 'mercenaries'

VLADIMIR ROMANOV has published an open letter to Hearts fans praising Jim Jefferies as a manager he can trust.

The Edinburgh club's majority shareholder, who will be at Tynecastle for today's pivotal SPL match against Kilmarnock which could secure a place in the top six, revealed he wanted to bolster the squad with players committed to the club rather than "mercenaries".

The statement was published on Hearts' official website after the Lithuanian banker made a surprise visit to the club's training complex at Riccarton.

"It is good news that Jim Jefferies is the manager, for at last I am working with someone who is truly professional and cares about the club," he wrote. "There is always an opportunity to strengthen the team in the summer transfer window. This time we will be looking to bring more patriot or club-minded than commercially-minded players, those who want to play and contribute to the development of the club and themselves – not those who are mercenaries.

"The challenge for the next transfer window is to find the right players to help the club move forward and we will be progressing this work. Thank you once again for your unstinting loyalty and support." Romanov gave the impression that he is satisfied that the club is heading in the right direction.

Meanwhile, Hearts have announced the death of former player Douglas Armstrong aged 84. A left-half, he was with the Tynecastle club for eight years from 1948, making more than 80 appearances.