Romanov dismisses 'January sales'

Hearts chairman Roman Romanov insists the club will not be selling any players when the transfer window opens.

There had been speculation the club would have to launch a January sale to service debts at Tynecastle.

But, with reports also emerging that former Jambos manager George Burley was asked to return to the club days after he was sacked last month, Romanov maintains any changes will only strengthen the team.

He said: “There will be no January sales at Tynecastle and the only reason any player would be sold is if we were guaranteeing a player of similar or better quality would be joining the squad.

“Clearly, there are many clubs that would want us to sell our top players.

“However the players, fans and staff are all in this together and we have ambitions that many people outside the club are finding it difficult to deal with.

“The loans from UBIG will in no way jeopardise the quality and strength of the team.

“We cannot talk in any detail about the finances of the club as we are in a closed period prior to the public announcement of our annual results and so it would be inappropriate to say more than that at this stage.”

Hearts are second behind Celtic on goal difference in the Bank of Scotland Premier League table.

New first team coach Graham Rix will take charge of the side for the first time at Aberdeen on Sunday.