Hartley calls for Hearts talks

Paul Hartley feels it is time for the Hearts players to talk with Vladimir Romanov.

Hearts' season suffered another setback on Sunday as they lost 1-0 to Rangers, with Steven Pressley consigned to the bench.

Fans also jeered Lithuanian duo Saulius Mikoliunas and Nerijus Barasa as the team was read out before kick-off.

Pressley, who made a statement about the "significant unrest" at Tynecastle just a few weeks ago, reportedly pulled out of last Monday's 1-1 draw with Falkirk.

There have also been reports of an Eastern European plot to strip Pressley of his captaincy, and the team's results have failed to meet expectations.

And Hartley urged: "The sooner everything gets sorted, the better it will be for the club.

"He (Romanov) will have stuff he wants to say to us but I think it's important that everything comes out in the open, that we start to talk and we can get our feelings across," he urged.

"We all want to push in the same direction - the supporters, the players, the owner - and the only way to do that is for us to get our point across and for Mr Romanov to get his point across.

Hartley defended the fans' right to protest but criticised their treatment of certain players.

"The fans don't like what's going on. There are a lot of us who don't like what's going on - and they have a right to protest," he said.

"Nobody likes getting booed and I condemn that. I don't like supporters booing their own players. They have to get behind them in difficult times like this.

Hartley, who filled in as captain against Rangers, also threw his support behind Pressley.

"He has been a great captain for the club, and we want our best players playing in the team.

"He's our main man and he's a fantastic leader. The sooner he gets back in the team, the better."

Sporting director Alex Koslovski also hit out at the fans who booed the team's Lithuanian players.

Koslovski believes the reception they received, particularly Barasa, was disgraceful, and warned the fans against making more racist shouts.

"Mikoliunas I can understand, maybe, because it's not always very easy to come out as a sub, not just when you're Lithuanian," said Koslovski.

"But Barasa? I'm surprised about that because I think it's a little bit of discrimination. He played very well, but because he's Lithuanian people will maybe shout at him."

"I'm not accusing anyone of anything but it looks like that (racism). If you blame players because they're Lithuanians, that's why."

Koslovski accepts that the fans are entitled to give their opinion about the current situation at Hearts, but urged them to take up their grievances with Romanov.

"You should always respect the opinion of the fans because they are the lifeblood of the club," he said.

"Mr Romanov is coming to Britain and he'll answer any questions."

Asked about the absence of Pressley, Koslovski replied: "We changed tactics today to start with three at the back and decided we needed other players."