Lithuanians in Scotland

[normthebarman]

Where to begin? The insanity that is Hearts' owner, "Mad" Vlad Romanov? The sheer volume of Lithuanians at Tynecastle? Or are both related?

Yes, the insanity of Hearts owner, millionaire Lithuanian bank owner Vladimir Romanov struck again on Monday after it was heavily rumoured that Hearts' Scottish captain, Stephen Pressley was stripped of his captains armband. After recently criticising the way the club was being run with regards to Romanov's intervention in team affairs, Pressley, alongside Scotland international team mate Paul Hartley, were missing from Mondays 1-1 draw with Falkirk. Wether Pressley, Hartley or indeed any non-Lithuanians are left by next week remains to be seen.

The Lithuanian players meanwhile are having mixed fortunes. UEFA and Champions league winner Edgaras Jankauskas is still recovering from a long term injury although hopes to be back soon. However, fellow Lithuanian striker Andrius Velicka has scored all 7 of Hearts' last goals with a record of 7 in 8 games. His pace and strength alongside his eye for goal are winning over the minds of the Hearts' fans, who are becomming ever more suspicious of the influx of players from Romanovs other side, FK Kaunas. Other players such as Cesnauskis, Barasa, Zaliukas, Ivaskevicius and the frustrating Saulius Mikoliunas can be expected to be joined by more Kaunas players after they sealed the Lithuanian title some 22 points clear of rivals Ekranas.

Although some wags have dubbed Heart of Midlothian as Heart of Midlithuania, it may not be long before an entirely Lithuanian side is fielded for this proud Scottish club.

[Larssonic]

Vlad is a twat every time they play they seem to have more Lithuanian players and less scottish players. I hate Vladameir Romanov (excuse the spelling)

[normthebarman]

Some are fine. Jankauskas and Velicka we have no problems with and Cesnauskis can be alright. It's players like Barasa, Ivaskevicius, Zaliukas and Mikoliunas that p*ss us off. The apointment of Malofeev was also a joke. How can someone who speaks no English manage a team in an english speaking country?

Don't get me wrong, Vlad saved Hearts from the evils of the Pieman and funded the wages of Gordon and Hartley not to mention Jankauskas, Goncalves and Fyssas.

I just wish his interfering in team affairs would stop...

[gregormilligan]

Some are fine. Jankauskas and Velicka we have no problems with and Cesnauskis can be alright. It's players like Barasa, Ivaskevicius, Zaliukas and Mikoliunas that p*ss us off. The apointment of Malofeev was also a joke. How can someone who speaks no English manage a team in an english speaking country?

Don't get me wrong, Vlad saved Hearts from the evils of the Pieman and funded the wages of Gordon and Hartley not to mention Jankauskas, Goncalves and Fyssas.

I just wish his interfering in team affairs would stop...

In my opinion, Mikoliunas is alreet. He's definately improved. I find that Goncalves makes too many foolish mistakes every time I watch him play.

We've still got some Cracking players, Jankauskas, Gordon, Fyssas, Hartley, Brellier etc, and Velicka, McCann, Neilson, and Aguiar are good too. Pospíšil and Bednar always look promising when played. We've got a decent team at the moment. We've got a few good young players too.

Romanov should stop messing with it. I agree that Malofeev was a ridiculous choice.

Also, what's everyone's opinions on Pressley leaving on Saturday? It's a sad day for Hearts and their fans, that's us one player closer to Hertz of Midlithuania becoming a reality...:(

As for Romanov's interferance thing, it's ripping Hearts apart from within. Our win against Motherwell was a much-needed boost but we still need more.

The team sheet is starting to read like Lithuania's national side. Maybe Romanov, Dick that he is, has been planning on whisking Hearts over to the Lithuanian league?!

[normthebarman]

Pressley's leaving was handled wrongly and he was treated badly I agree.

However, he is getting on. 33 years old and we've got some decent, younger players coming through. Berra has made Webster seem a like a distant dream and personally, I like Goncalves. He's still young remember and has a lot of potential. If "Elvis" had stayed he would be on another years contract at a higher wage level and it was maybe time to let him go. He will, of course, remain a legend at Tynecastle as another Hearts captain who lifted the Scottish Cup.

And, it looks like I was too harsh on Zaliukas. Malofeev's disastrous reign had him played out of position in midfield but in the centre of defence, he looks like he could be promising.

Unfortunately, the writing appears to be on the wall for the "Riccarton Three" with Hartley now having a talking to and, while Gordon has been given the Captains armband, I think it's a given that he'll be away by the start of next season, if not sooner.

[gregormilligan]

Pressley's leaving was handled wrongly and he was treated badly I agree.

However, he is getting on. 33 years old and we've got some decent, younger players coming through. Berra has made Webster seem a like a distant dream and personally, I like Goncalves. He's still young remember and has a lot of potential. If "Elvis" had stayed he would be on another years contract at a higher wage level and it was maybe time to let him go. He will, of course, remain a legend at Tynecastle as another Hearts captain who lifted the Scottish Cup.

And, it looks like I was too harsh on Zaliukas. Malofeev's disastrous reign had him played out of position in midfield but in the centre of defence, he looks like he could be promising.

Unfortunately, the writing appears to be on the wall for the "Riccarton Three" with Hartley now having a talking to and, while Gordon has been given the Captains armband, I think it's a given that he'll be away by the start of next season, if not sooner.

I agree that Pressley is getting on, but I feel, and I'm sure many would agree that he was playing in his prime, particularly last season. He was a fantastic Captain and gave the club a fine sense of direction over the last few seasons.

I'm still undecided on Goncalves. He plays well one week and poorly the next, but I'm sure he has potential. I've yet to see Berra prove himself distinctly, but again, he is young. I agree with you on Zaliukas, he's played fairly well in Defense.

I think it'd be a shame to see Hartley, and in particular Gordon go. Both are good players with a lot to offer for the club, and both have become heavily associated with Hearts. It'd be a shame to see the large Scottish player base eroded by some power-mad lithuanian bastart, Hearts were one of the most "Scottish" of the SPL teams, and it's a shame to see that changing.

On another note, Aberdeen:mad2: dirty, lucky bastards.

[normthebarman]

Don't get me wrong. Pressley was and is a good player and i would still like him there but if his playing means another one year deal (taking him to 34) on an improved contract, I can see why that might be a reason to let him go. Although I think we both know the main reason why he left.

I'd love to see Hartley stay or at least, last years Hartley stay. This seasons version just doesn't seam to be the same player.

And of course, as a lot of posters on here know, my feelings for Craig Gordon are well known. Set to be one of the top Goalies in Europe as far as I'm concerned but, alas, the Premiership is calling and I think he'll be there for the start of next season albeit, for a nice chunky wedge of cash at least. all the best to Craig though as I'd never stand in the way of a players move to the premiership.

And you're right. The sheep were dirty rotten lucky b*st*rds!!!

[gregormilligan]

Don't get me wrong. Pressley was and is a good player and i would still like him there but if his playing means another one year deal (taking him to 34) on an improved contract, I can see why that might be a reason to let him go. Although I think we both know the main reason why he left.

I'd love to see Hartley stay or at least, last years Hartley stay. This seasons version just doesn't seam to be the same player.

And of course, as a lot of posters on here know, my feelings for Craig Gordon are well known. Set to be one of the top Goalies in Europe as far as I'm concerned but, alas, the Premiership is calling and I think he'll be there for the start of next season albeit, for a nice chunky wedge of cash at least. all the best to Craig though as I'd never stand in the way of a players move to the premiership.

And you're right. The sheep were dirty rotten lucky b*st*rds!!!

Aye, Hartley's lost heart/hart/insert witty pun here.

And I agree with you on Craig Gordon, he's one of the most impressive Scots in years and he'll be certain to move down to the Premiership, at least.

Good on him I say, but it'll be a shame to see him leave Hearts.