Webster and Skacel set to leave Hearts

Koen Freriks

15 mei 2006, 11:32

Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov, a man disposed to make a drama out of a crisis, did not disappoint yesterday, taking centre stage at the celebrations in Edinburgh and using his platform to describe Andy Webster and Rudi Skacel as "parasites".

Scotland defender Webster was dropped from the squad for Saturday's Tennent's Scottish Cup final victory over Gretna for refusing to extend a contract which is due to expire next summer, and goalscorer Skacel insisted afterwards that he had made his final appearance for the club.

Romanov has an old-fashioned attitude towards dissidents, and he made it clear that he was not prepared to appease his stars. "I must make sure there are no parasites inside the club," he said. "What are parasites? They have two legs, two arms, an empty head and just reflexes. They know only one word: money."