Csaba hopes for his signings in January

He’s making a list, checking it twice

Is Vladimir Romanov going to be naughty or nice for Csaba Laszlo this January transfer window? Hearts are languishing in the bottom 6 of the SPL and they need some new recruits to force their way up the table.

Hibs and Dundee United have so far stood toe to toe with Celtic and Rangers, which will be exasperating the frustration felt by the Jambos. They have been the consistent challenger to the third place spot but now there are doubts about the Glasgow duo, Hearts are nowhere to be seen.

Romanov is not around

Obviously the current financial crisis is taking up the thoughts and time of most of the banking industry but Vladimir Romanov has rarely been seen in Edinburgh of late.

When Hearts were flying high, Romanov was in the papers more than Jordan or Susan Boyle but he is rarely heard of these days. If only the same could be said for the other two chancers much loved by the red tops!

This means that when Laszlo is looking to make a request for additions to his squad, he has to wait around until he get in contact with his boss.

“Mr Romanov must trust my judgment and go for players I want.”
“We must have a concrete agreement that I decide who is signed.”
“If you don’t trust each other there is no chance. Mr Romanov did deliver Ismael Bouzid, David Obua and Suso Santana when I asked for them.”
“That is positive – it shows we are going in the right direction.”

As usual, this is fighting talk from Csaba Laszlo and many are wondering if he is actively courting the sack?

Again though, Romanov is not the man he was, previously, any Hearts manager talking in such a way would have been forced to walk the plank. Nowadays, it doesn’t even appear to register with the colourful character.