Steven Pressley feared plots against his captaincy

The Hearts owner allegedly issued his ultimatum before last month's SPL game against Dunfermline.

Varanavicuis, who is president of the Lithuanian Football Federation told BBC Scotland: "It is quite a strange situation. It would be a drastic move.

"But, knowing Vladimir's long-term goals, it is possible."

Varanavicuis added: "If it is the only way to move forward and have a five-year team plan and make the Champions League group stages."

Romanov's meeting with the players sparked Hearts captain Steven Pressley to state publicly that there was "unrest" in the dressing room.

Pressley, flanked by fellow Scotland internationals Paul Hartley and Craig Gordon, recently held a media conference to plead for stability at the Scottish Premier League club following yet another change of head coach.

And the central defender decided against playing at Falkirk Stadium on Monday, complaining that he was not in the right frame of mind.

There are good trainers and bad trainers and I think I'm a good trainer Prospective Hearts head coach Eugenijus Riabovas

Hartley and new Scotland cap Robbie Neilson were also dropped to the bench for Hearts' 1-1 draw.

There had been reports that some of the Edinburgh club's Lithuanian players had been plotting to depose Pressley as team captain.

He is expected to make himself available for Sunday's match against Rangers, which will be the last under the control of Eduard Malofeev.

The Belarussian took temporary charge after Valdas Ivanauskas was given leave on grounds of illness.

But Hearts say that Malofeev was scheduled to leave the club to undertake coaching studies.

And Eugenijus Riabovas, who followed Ivanauskas and Malofeev as Kaunas coach, will take over on Monday after a short time in Scotland after the clinching of the Lithuanian league title.

Hearts have slumped to six games without a victory, but Riabovas remains optimistic.

"Hearts have a very strong team and I think I'm good enough to be the Hearts coach," he said.

"There are good trainers and bad trainers and I think I'm a good trainer. I've been here in Scotland for around two weeks now, just watching.

"I know that Hearts have been doing fairly well recently. I hope that continues. I will start work on Monday after the match against Rangers this Sunday.

"I will be at Tynecastle to watch the team play before taking over the next day.

"It's not a permanent position, just temporary."

Meanwhile, the Scottish FA has confirmed that Malofeev faces a two-match touchline ban.

He was sent to the stand during the game with Falkirk after manhandling fourth official John McKendrick following Russell Latapy's equaliser.