Heart of Midlothian

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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Summer 2006. The season is over and Vladimir Romanov has experienced the sweet taste of Sottish Cup success.

Of course, it's all down to his amazing footballing acumen, and he wastes no time cementing his influence over the Hearts team.

Before training for the new season can begin, he's secretly rebuilding the Hearts backroom staff again.  Two new recruits come in.

First, Eduard Malofeyev - a Russian football legend, one of the best players to ever pull on a Dynamo Minsk shirt. His CV includes a two-year stint as head coach of the USSR, though more recently he has been managing FC Kaunas, owned by a certain Vladimir Romanov.

And then, maintaining the Eastern European vibe, is Ukrainian coach Anatoliy Korobochka. Vlad arranges for the new recruits to meet the cup-winning team at their training camp, which is best described as 'somewhere in the Mediterranean.'

Korobochka spoke to the Romanov: Czar of Hearts podcast about his time at the club, and one of the more memorable pre-season trips, well, ever.

"Vladimir suggested to me we go to Monaco, to France, there would be a big white ship, and we would start our practice," he recalls.

"Everything around it gave an impression of luxury, that's true, and a lot of money had been spent."

Romanov had decided Hearts' pre-season should include 10 days on an ocean-going yacht fit for an oligarch and his football team.

However, instead of closely scrutinised training sessions and fitness routines, the Hearts squad found themselves on a Mediterranean cruise, moving along the coast every few days before hopping on to dry land and hoping to find a free pitch.

"I mean, it was shocking, to be honest with you, I think it cost like 600 grand to lease for that 10 days," Paul Hartley tells the podcast.

"We used to jump off the speedboats, go into the land to find somewhere to train. This is 10 days in the Med, on this big yacht."

Despite the less-than-organised approach to the pre-season trip, Hartley wasn't too fazed by the lack of 5k runs and intricate drills.

He adds: "It was a great, it was a good holiday.

"Honestly, it was great. It was terrible pre-season, but it was a good holiday."

Episodes 1-6 of Romanov: Czar of Heart are available now on BBC Sounds, with further episodes released weekly on Saturdays.

Greg Playfair
Fan writer

Death, taxes and an eye-bleeding game of football at McDiarmid Park are three things you're guaranteed in life.

Sunday's game wasn't that bad but if it had been played in a neutral's front lawn, I wouldn't blame them for keeping the curtains shut given how terrible the pitch was.

Hearts played well in fits and spurts, with impressive individual performances from Elton Kabangu and Craig Gordon inspiring the 2-1 victory.

Kabangu has now netted seven times in his first seven appearances, yet how we'd all have hoped he could have saved one goal for the previous week against Rangers and we could be talking about Hearts being unbeaten in nine games.

The truth is, we could have lost for the second time in 2025 had it not been for Gordon's superb instinctive save at 1-1. I know there's been a running debate about whether Gordon should be dropped for Zander Clark, but given his heroics in Paisley and now in Perth, that argument is over for the rest of this campaign.

There are questions about how long the 42-year-old can last as our number one, but I sense there's a romantic desire of Gordon wanting to finish on a high and is dreaming of lifting the Scottish Cup for a fourth time in his career.

I'll park that vision for now as this week brings a double-header versus sides who will want to thwart our attempts to finally break back into the top six, with St Mirren visiting on Wednesday before Sunday's derby trip to Easter Road.

I'd expect Neil Critchley to rotate the team against St Mirren as the derby is a game, deep down, he'll prioritise given we haven't beaten Hibs in over 14 months.

I'll stick my neck out and predict Lawrence Shankland will be involved in the winner - either an assist or scoring himself - to clinch a first derby win for Critchley.

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Elton Kabangu is adamant Hearts will secure a top-six finish this season.

The Tynecastle men had a dreadful start and were bottom of the table on 22 December, but now occupy seventh after just one defeat in 10 games.

With six games to go before the split, Hearts can rise into the top half with victory on Wednesday night against a St Mirren side who sit a point above them.

Belgian forward Kabangu said: "We will be in the top six. That's the objective and I think we will be in it. I think we are good enough to be in it."

The 27-year-old is already Hearts' top scorer this season with seven goals - including three doubles - from his seven appearances since joining on loan from Union Saint-Gilloise in January.

"It feels good but it means also that the team adapts to my playing style and that I adapt really good to the team," he said.

"I can only say credit to the team because they help me and they give me confidence.

"The staff as well. Until now, it's been positive but it's not done. We have things to achieve."

Kabangu, helped by a pep talk from boss Neil Critchley, bounced back from a string of missed chances in the 3-1 defeat by Rangers to score a match-winning double at St Johnstone on Sunday.

"I was a little bit frustrated because I want to do well. The manager directly backed me and I spoke to him and he gave me a lot of confidence," he said.

"From the day we spoke, I just moved forward and I wanted to play the next games and to make things right because I know I can do it."

Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland will have "conversations" with Hearts over a new contract, with his current deal due to expire at the end of this season. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish gossip.

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Hearts head coach Neil Critchley says the "league table will take care of itself" as his side target a return to the top six for the first time since the opening week of the season.

The Jambos are one point behind sixth-place St Mirren and four behind fifth-place Hibs as they head into a week that sees them face both, with the Buddies to come on Wednesday followed by an Edinburgh derby on Sunday.

"It was a difficult game because of the conditions and the pitch," said Critchley.

"We've had to grind it out and fine margins, as it's been in all the games we've played against St Johnstone, but it's an important three points having lost (to Rangers) last week.

"That sets us up nicely for an important week. We just have to try and keep winning games of football."

Hearts will leapfrog Stephen Robinson's side into the top six with a win on Wednesday night, and will be confident having won 16 of their last 20 top-flight home games against St Mirren, and have only lost once in 2025.

"It's the start of a big week with nine points to play for – six now, obviously – and the league could look different come the end of the game at Hibs next Sunday.

"This is a really big three points. If you keep winning games, the league table will take care of itself.

"These are small margins. We believe that in these last 11 games, they will turn in our favour.

"If not, then of course it's not easy to win these matches if you don't get these small margins on your side."

We asked for your views on Hearts' 2-1 win against St Johnstone.

Here's what some of you said:

Jim: Unconvincing win on a playing surface from a bygone age! If our central defenders are the future they need to learn quickly how to work together. The superb James Penrice collects too many bookings at full-back which suggests he might be a better attacking midfielder. We missed Cammy Devlin. Lawrence Shankland proved yet again what a superb all round footballer he is.

Niall: Tough game in tough conditions but Hearts stayed strong. Superb at both ends with Craig Gordon's heroic save and Elton Kabangu's scoring. Big opportunity coming Wednesday to get into the top six.

Alan: A hugely important three points in poor conditions against a stuffy St Johnstone side scrapping for whatever they could get. I thought we handled it well, we weren't at our best but that doesn't matter as long as you have a goal scorer, which we appear to have uncovered in Kabangu - his impact from now to the seasons' end could be huge for a top six push.

Mike: Another hard fought victory for Hearts in terrible conditions. We must find ways to finish off teams. At times it seemed they wanted to walk the ball into the net. What was very pleasing was the fact that there were seven Scottish players in the starting line up with another four on the bench.

Steven: Think VAR and the officials paid back a couple of dues for the Rangers game last week. St Johnstone's second goal looked onside. Take the three points and run. It was a tough game in shocking conditions, so a great three points.

Richard: Again we squandered several chances to kill the game against an able opponent. Great to see Elton find the scoring touch again. We must take six points from the next possible six if we have any real ambition to get back into third. We are getting a strong squad together with players coming off the bench, not diminishing the quality already on the field.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Hearts continued their good form with a victory over struggling St Johnstone and they have one player in my TOTW.

After misfiring against Rangers, Hearts rocket man Elton Kabangu was on song with two goals to sink St Johnstone.

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• St Johnstone have scored in their last seven games in the Premiership, their longest scoring streak this season.

• Hearts have scored in their last four games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of five games from 22nd December 2024 to 5th January 2025.

• Elton Kabangu has scored five goals in the Premiership this season (two in this game), more than any other Hearts player.

• Graham Carey has assisted two goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), no St Johnstone player has more.

Watch highlights as St Johnstone lose 2-1 against Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.

Hearts head coach Neil Critchley revealed midfielder Cammy Devlin was "not quite right" to return in Sunday's win over St Johnstone following a recent head injury. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

Elton Kabangu's double continued Hearts' encouraging start to 2025 as Neil Critchley's side moved to within one point of the top six with a 2-1 win at Scottish Premiership bottom side St Johnstone.

The January loan signing, who is now the club's top scorer, netted his sixth and seventh goals since arriving from Union Saint-Gilloise either side of Adama Sidibeh's equaliser.

Both sides struggled with the boggy playing conditions before Kabangu turned in Shankland's effort at the back post to give the visitors the lead on 36 minutes.

Saints responded at the beginning of the second half when Sidibeh stooped to head in Graham Carey's cross, but parity didn't last long.

Just a few minutes later, Shankland and Kabangu combined again to restore Hearts' lead almost immediately after goalkeeper Craig Gordon produced a magnificent save to deny Sam Curtis at the other end.

The hosts endeavoured to level for a second time, but fortune was not on their side as Drey Wright had a superb header ruled out for offside and Carey had put one narrowly wide from a deep free-kick. Saints remain six points adrift.

Let us know your thoughts on the match here., external

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Hearts head coach Neil Critchley: "It was a hard-fought victory. I think it was an open and entertaining game with lots of chances.

"I'm delighted for Elton Kabangu to get two goals after his disappointment last week. He's such a great personality to have at the training ground every day. I thought he was fantastic again.

"Lawrence Shankland plays such an important role in the team, he continues to be important for us.

"Craig Gordon pulls off a match winning save at 1-1 for us. I thought it was a goal but we see it every day in training. We're not surprised he pulls off that save.

"Last week against Rangers I thought Beni Baningime was excellent too. There's more of an importance to do the ugly side and he puts a right shift in.

"We're in good form. This wasn't easy, we had to adapt, but we got the job done."

Adam Binnie
BBC Sport Scotland

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Hearts have lost just one match in 2025 and are charging towards a top-six finish.

Having spent the majority of the season in the table's lurches, a top half, or potentially even European finish, would be considered a massive achievement.

Critchley seems to have found the formula for success.

The terrific trio of Kabangu, Shankland and James Wilson terrorised Saints' backline. Kabangu's brace makes him the team's top scorer, despite only arriving in the January window, but he also seems to have revitalised Shankland.

The Scotland international assisted both of the Belgian's goals and appears to be enjoying his deeper role.

Hearts now have six matches until the league's split and, with some favourable home ties in there, will fancy their chances of European football next season.

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St Johnstone have lost Benji Kimpioka (illness) and Victor Griffith (ankle) this week. They remain without long-term absentees Uche Ikpeazu (knee) and Sam McClelland (Achilles) while Cammy MacPherson has joined Tampa Bay Rowdies on loan.

Hearts hope to have Cammy Devlin back after concussion but Craig Halkett, Stephen Kingsley (both hamstring), Frankie Kent (quad) and Yan Dhanda (hip) are still out.

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Neil Critchley believes Hearts' next three games will be "pivotal" to the rest of their season, as they prepare to for three games in the space of the week.

St Johnstone is up first on Sunday, before welcoming St Mirren to Tynecastle midweek, finishing with an Edinburgh derby next Sunday.

"We have seven games until the split and we want to be looking up and competing at the top end of the league come the end of the season, so this next group of games is really pivotal to that," Critchley said.

"We've got nine points to play for in a short period, a short space of time, so the league can look completely different in seven to ten days' time.

"We've got three games next week as well, we've got a midweek game, so we'll have to manage the squad through the week and that's the message to all the players."

Hearts are already dealing with an injury crisis at the back, with Frankie Kent, Craig Halkett, and Stephen Kingsley ruled out for the foreseeable.

"You have to train right, you have to be prepared, ready to take the opportunity and I won't be afraid to change the team, win, lose or draw, if I think it's the right thing to do to play the opponent that we're about to face."

During Critchley's tricky opening spell in charge of Hearts, two of his five wins in his first 15 games came against St Johnstone.

"Both games were really close, obviously they went in our favour, but they've caused us problems in both games," he said. "If you take out last week's result [Saints' defeat at Kilmarnock], prior to that they were in really good form.

"They've had some changes in January with personnel, system change, so away from home we're expecting a really close, tough game."

On the sixth episde of Romanov: Czar of Hearts...

Vlad rewards his cup winning team with a preseason to remember.

Joining them are two new coaches who arrive from eastern Europe plus his interference spreads beyond the pitch and into the medical department.

All of which leads to the one of the most unbelievable press conferences football has ever witnessed.

Episode six of Romanov: Czar of Hearts is available now on BBC Sounds - listen and subscribe here.

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Jorge Grant says Hearts supporters "haven't seen the best of him yet" as the midfielders admits he's had an "up and down" career in maroon to date.

The English midfielder joined from Peterborough in the summer of 2022 and made his 100th appearance for the club in the recent Scottish Cup win away to St Mirren.

However, the 31-year-old has struggled to cement a starting spot and has faced intense criticism from supporters after a couple of costly red cards during his time at Tynecastle.

"I think there's been a lot of good moments, but there's also been some bad ones, especially for me personally," he said, previewing Hearts' weekend game at St Johnstone.

"I feel like the fans probably haven't seen the total best of me yet because I've been so in and out of the team. Partly down to myself, and partly down to obviously not getting game time as well. I just want to finish the season as strong as I can and help the team as well as I can."

Grant has started seven of Hearts' last nine matches, after going almost three months without a start following his red card at Aberdeen in early October. That was his second dismissal after receiving one in the Europa League play-off defeat by Zurich in 2022.

The midfielder admitted the the backlash from supporters following both incidents tested his mentality.

"It's the first time I've had to deal with it because I've never been sent off before," he added. "I think I played 250-something games before I came up here and I'd never been sent off.

"For me, that was something different that I'd never had that feeling before. Sitting in the changing room on your own isn't a nice feeling at all.

"It's something I've had to deal with, probably away from football a bit more. I feel like I'm a strong character, so I always seem to try and come back."

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

Throughout Vladimir Romanov's tenure at Hearts, a wide array of players passed through the club and a revolving door of managers threw up some interesting names.

However, a peek behind the scenes highlights two of the more peculiar characters from that time.

Rima, employed by Romanov in the club's medical department was joined by a fellow physio who is simply identified as 'pyjama man'. To some though, Rima also had a nickname.

"You mean the witch?" quips Roman Bednar on the newest episode of Romanov: Czar of Hearts.

"The way she worked, it looked like witchcraft to us, I remember that she'd take some stick or pen and tap on your back and then she said, 'he can play 50 minutes. He can play 70 minutes', and I don't think we actually laughed because we didn't know what was happening.

"We were really surprised and shocked at what is she doing with us."

Some players were sceptical, to say the least, with Edgaras Jankauskas determined to catch her out: "Once I got injured in the game and when I came to Riccarton to see her... everybody knew that she was guessing.

"So when I saw Rima, I told her 'yesterday I got injured, so tell me on which hamstring', and she just ran away from me."

Her colleague pyjama man wasn't exactly the credible one of the pair either. He earned the nickname due to his habit of roaming the corridors of the Tynecastle medical department in attire resembling nightwear.

Michael Stewart tells the podcast: "You had pyjama man and you're sticking your fingers into what seemed like a sort of ghetto blaster, and this is giving you like readouts of whether you're able to train and how you're feeling. Just absolute madness."

Both of them held a fair bit of sway with Vlad, who also self-diagnosed players.

Every now and then, a player would be mysteriously struck down, often on matchdays. Fans were baffled as to why their favourite player was suddenly missing from the team, with this particular illness known as the Vlad flu.

Romanov: Czar of Heart is available now on BBC Sounds, with episode six out tomorrow and further episodes released weekly on Saturdays.

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• St Johnstone have lost each of their last eight league meetings with Heart of Midlothian since a 2-1 win in February 2022.

• Hearts have won each of their last four away league games at St Johnstone, this after winning none of their previous 15 visits in the top-flight prior (D7 L8).

• After their 2-1 win over Motherwell, St Johnstone could win back-to-back home league games for the first time since December 2023.

• Heart of Midlothian haven't conceded in any of their last three away league outings; not since March 2007 have Hearts had a longer run of away clean sheets in the top-flight (five).

• St Johnstone have had more high turnovers against them (226) than any other side in the Scottish Premiership this season, while only Celtic (214) and Rangers (200) have forced more high turnovers in the division this campaign than Hearts (180).

Hearts intend to hold fresh talks with captain Lawrence Shankland to determine whether the 29-year-old Scotland striker could still be persuaded to stay at Tynecastle Park beyond the end of his contract this summer. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Hearts and Dundee will kick-off the Scottish Cup quarter-final weekend when the Dark Blues travel to Tynecastle on Friday, 7 March.

The all-Premiership tie will kick-off at 19:45 GMT, and be televised live on Premier Sports.

The Jambos fired six past Tony Docherty's side earlier this month in a league meeting.