Hearts yesterday refused to comment on reports that Vladimir Romanov, the club's majority shareholder, had addressed the squad which fell to a 2-0 defeat to Rangers on Saturday to tell them goalkeeper Steve Banks could no longer be trusted to play for the club.
Allegations that Romanov stepped in to sideline the 36-year-old, apparently likening him to Steven Pressley and Andy Webster - who were critical of Romanov's early stewardship - would belie new manager Csaba Laszlo's insistence that he is calling the shots. The arrival of Marian Kello from FBK Kaunas may also suggest otherwise.
One player Laszlo definitely was in charge of bringing to the club is David Obua. The Uganda internationalist finally arrived at Tynecastle yesterday after a protracted bureaucratic process to secure his work permit and insists he is ready to make his debut this weekend.
He said: "I cannot wait to meet the fans and to go on the pitch with my team-mates. In each game I am going to play there will be a lot of pressure, but I'm ready and here to work.
"If I'm selected to play on Saturday then I'm going to be there and in the thick of things."
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