Thursday, December 31, 2009

Laszlo and Romanov at odds over players

Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov
Relations between Romanov and Laszlo appear increasingly strained

Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov has questioned the need to bring Izale McLeod and Steven MacLean to the club.

"I do not see anything except publicity for those players. Maybe Csaba Laszlo decided they needed a PR manager. I am not convinced we need them," he said.

But Hearts manager Laszlo said of the strike duo: "They don't need a PR manager if you look at their CV.

"If you look at the table, we have played 18 games and scored 21 goals. That shows where we have problems."

After Hearts emerged 1-0 victors over Motherwell on Wednesday evening, despite being under the cosh for most of the second half, Laszlo was in no mood to accept that Hearts can make do with their existing striking options.

Midfielder Michael Stewart, who scored the winner against 'Well, is the club's top scorer with six goals this season, while key striker Christian Nade has hit the back of the net just twice.

"When I talk about strikers, if you see the game you know what I'm talking about," Laszlo said.

"The last meeting with the owner was positive and I told him that we need fresh blood up front. My job is to bring players in who would like to come here."

And the Hearts boss joked: "My wish is that we win every game 1-0 without a striker."

The manager has struggled to persuade Romanov to invest in new players this season and, earlier this week, when asked if he thought the owner would sanction the signings of Charlton's McLeod and Plymouth Argyle's MacLean, Laszlo said: "I am convinced that everybody would like the same thing and what I want is success."

And as Romanov's comments filtered through at Tynecastle on Wednesday night, apparently questioning his judgement on what the team needs most, Laszlo responded to further questions on the likelihood of Romanov's backing.

"I can give you an answer after the transfer window," he replied.

"I'm always very positive. If you're not positive, you can't survive in this job."

McLeod arrived in Edinburgh on Tuesday but has since returned to England after a trial at the club, suggesting any deal is, at best, not imminent.

Meanwhile, former Rangers, Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff City forward MacLean is also being tracked by Aberdeen.

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