Romanov's son takes on two vacated top roles at Hearts

Hearts chief executive Phil Anderton and club chairman George Foulkes have left Tynecastle with Roman Romanov, son of majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov, taking up both roles.

According to a statement issued to the London Stock Exchange, Anderton has “ceased to be” a director and the chief executive, while Foulkes has resigned.

The statement confirms Roman Romanov as Foulkes’ replacement as chairman. He will also assume the title of chief executive “on a temporary basis… pending a further appointment”.

The dramatic development comes just over a week after George Burley left the manager’s job at Tynecastle and just over 24 hours after Hearts were knocked off the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League by Celtic.