Hearts fans livid with Romanov

Hearts fans demanded Lithuanian owner Vladimir Romanov quit at their 1-0 home defeat to Rangers in the Scottish Premier League on Sunday.

Rangers returned to second place with a late goal from Nacho Novo in a scrappy match which was largely overshadowed by Hearts' off-the-field problems.

Their fans held up banners at the stadium backing deposed captain Steven Pressley and calling for Romanov to go. The majority shareholder was absent from the match.

A couple of hundred fans then chanted "sack the board" outside their Tynecastle ground after the final whistle, BBC Radio Scotland reported.

Pressley was dropped for last Monday's league match at Falkirk after he criticised how the club was being run.

He said there was dressing room unrest after manager Valdas Ivanauskas took sick leave. Romanov has been a controversial owner, getting through a succession of managers amid reports of disagreements.

Pressley was a substitute for the Rangers match with midfielder Paul Hartley replacing him as captain for the lacklustre game.

Hartley told BBC Radio Scotland: "The supporters have a right to voice their opinion. If they want to then there's not a lot we can do about it.

"It's important we get our best players on the park and Steven is one of the best players. He is not just our captain, he leads by example.

"Of course it (the situation) is serious, you want to pull in the same direction. The sooner it is resolved the better it will be for everybody."

Champions Celtic top the Scottish standings with 40 points from 15 games following their comfortable 3-0 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday. Rangers now have 25 points while Hearts are fifth on 22.