Jambos to avoid the drop

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By ALAN PATTULLO

Published on 16/05/2013 00:00

 

HEARTS last night responded calmly to renewed scrutiny of their finances from other SPL clubs, along with suggestions that they may have been in breach of league rules, by stressing the Tynecastle club is neither owned nor operated by Ukio Bankas, the bank that has collapsed in Lithuania with debts of over £300 million.

 

It was reported yesterday that other Scottish Premier League clubs had written to the league questioning whether the Tynecastle club are in breach of league rules concerning liquidation events. However, they have been told that there has been no breach of rule A6.12 which applies to any “group undertaking” of an owner and operator of a club suffering insolvency.

 

The SPL would not comment on whether any club had made an official request for further information on Hearts’ finances. However, a source has confirmed to The Scotsman that two clubs did make “informal” approaches to the SPL, asking the governing body to investigate the true extent of Hearts’ financial crisis, after weeks of alarming reports from Lithuania about the state of club owner Vladimir Romanov’s finances.

 

However, Hearts played down the need for rival clubs to call for a probe by the SPL.

 

Although the Tynecastle club owe Ukio Bankas around £15 million, a Hearts spokesperson underlined that the bankrupt company is a “couple of steps removed” and has no official connection to Hearts, wose parent company is UBIG, from which Romanov has also resigned as a director.

 

Were the Tynecastle club to enter administration before 20 May then an automatic 17-point penalty – a third of the total they accrued last season – would be imposed, leaving them adrift of relegated Dundee.

 

“We are not concerned by reports in certain sections of the media,” said a spokesperson for Hearts last night. “Ukio Bankas is neither owner nor operator of Heart of Midlothian Football Club. Heart of Midlothian PLC is.”

 

The spokesperson expressed confidence that Hearts will suffer no financial convulsion before next week and indeed looked forward to employment costs at the Tynecastle club decreasing further in June, when several senior players’ contracts expire, something which will help Hearts trade more easily.

 

Ukio Bankas has appealed against the bankruptcy order imposed on it by a court in Lithuania, and the bid to reverse the ruling is expected to be heard in two week’s time.

 

Meanwhile, Hearts right-back Fraser Mullen will not be offered a new contract.

 

The 19-year-old made ten appearances for the club and came into the first team for the first time this season for the Scottish Communities League Cup semi-final against Inverness. Mullen looked set to play in the final but his season was ended by a broken foot suffered the previous week against Hibernian.

 

Revealing the imminent end of his spell at Tynecastle, Mullen wrote on his Twitter account: “Not being offered a contract for next season at Hearts.

 

“Enjoyed being at the club since I was 12 but annoyed the way last few months ended with the injury.

 

“Absolute gutted at leaving some of the boys gonna miss them a lot.”

 

Hearts had previously confirmed that Danny Grainger, Darren Barr, Gordon Smith and Denis Prychynenko would not be offered new contracts, while club captain Marius Zaliukas is also set to move on as the club look to cut costs again.

 

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/top-football-stories/hearts-look-to-play-down-spl-finance-scrutiny-1-2931655

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ANDY WEBSTER admits off-field uncertainty at Hearts means he has no idea if his future lies at the capital club.

 

The 31-year-old, who is in his second spell at the Jambos after rejoining in 2011, is out of contract this summer and is among the highest earners still at the cash-strapped club.

 

The former Rangers and Dundee United centre-back is thought to be keen to sign a new deal but any offer is likely to be on hugely reduced terms following a season of turmoil off the pitch.

 

Club captain Marius Zaliukas looks set to say goodbye to the Hearts fans on Saturday at Pittodrie but Webster concedes his own future is not a priority for club bosses.

 

The Scotland stopper said: “Ultimately, it’s employment and I need stability for myself and my family.

 

“Nobody likes it when they come to the end of their contract but you just have to wait and see what happens.

 

“Once the club knows what is happening off the park – the most important thing is for Hearts to get on an even keel – then secondary is the players’ situations. It’s understandable.

 

“I’ve had a great time since coming back to the club, as I did the first time I was here.

 

“The situation the club is in at the moment means you tend to just take these things as they come along.”

 

If Webster ends up joining the exodus of experienced players he is adamant the club will regroup thanks to the young talent in their ranks.

 

This season has seen Kevin McHattie, Callum Tapping, Dylan McGowan, Jamie Walker, Callum Paterson and Jason Holt thrown into the deep end and all have thrived.

 

Webster added: “We have a talented bunch of players – probably more technically gifted than a lot of squads.

 

“Hopefully this season the boys have learned a lot.”

 

Meanwhile, full-back Fraser Mullen was last night told he has no future at Hearts.

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hearts-star-andy-webster-tynecastle-1892226