Well, whadda you know, having a Lithuanian millionaire take over your football club, wave the cash around, and exert more and more influence over decision-making isn't necessarily a good thing.
Heart of Midlothian FC (one of the clubs in Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh, for the uninitiated) have had a traumatic fortnight: losing a manager in unclear circumstances involving a confidentiality clause; ending a long-running unbeaten spell against their traditional city rivals and dropping from the top of the SPL in the process; and chief executive Phil Anderton and chairman George Foulkes both being sacked at the behest of majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov.
Now Romanov has installed his son Roman as successor to both sacked men, has been branded a dictator, the fans are starting to panic, and the nay-sayers have begun with the "i told you so"s.
I hope for Hearts' sake, and that of Scottish football generally, that there is some kind of happy ending to this tale of woe. The emergence of another team to threaten the hideous dominance of the Old Firm has been a joy for all those not in the thrall of the Glasgow duo. Not since the short-lasting "New Firm" Aberdeen/Dundee United heyday of the early to mid eighties has there been such a viable possibility of a change of command in the Scottish football firmament.
I don't hold out much hope though. There in an air of impending doom surrounding the whole affair, and the involvement of rich businessmen in football doesn't have the best of track records.
Having said that, if any Eastern European multi-millionaires happen to read this and are looking for a club to invest in, feel free to give St Johnstone FC a ring - a short-term flurry of excitement and success would be quite welcome thanks...
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