JJ can realise Vlad's vision, says director

LITHUANIAN director Sergejus Fedotovas has spoken for the first time regarding Hearts' appointment of Jim Jefferies, acclaiming him as the man to realise majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov's vision for the club, writes BARRY ANDERSON.

Citing Jefferies' expertise in the areas of man-management and promoting prodigious young talent to the first team, Fedotovas stated that the new incumbent possesses a sound appreciation of Romanov's plans for Hearts.

It was Fedotovas who negotiated Jefferies' return to Tynecastle as the replacement for Csaba Laszlo.

"Jim understands Mr Romanov's vision for the future of the club," said Fedotovas. "The owner is keen to see the best young players develop as part of a successful strategy that provides long-term benefits for the players and the club.

"Hearts is in a tremendous position to attract the top young players in the country. We now believe that we have a manager that is capable of steering them on a pathway to the first team and, in turn, develop them as part of a winning team which will present them with opportunities to achieve great things.

"Jim is a true Hearts man and the club is an important part of his life, not a stepping stone as some previous managers have seen it before. Mr Romanov sees this and he believes it can work both ways."

Fedotovas attended Hearts' clash with Celtic in Glasgow on Wednesday night accompanied by Portsmouth manager Avram Grant, a close friend of Romanov. The Israeli is another who is in full support of Romanov's youth development strategy.

"Young players are the future as well as the present and their development is important," said Grant. "You need to give them the chance and be patient with them to develop their quality."