 Fans held placards against Romanov and in support of Pressley |
Paul Hartley has called for clear-the-air talks with Hearts' owner following protests by fans and claims of anti-Lithuanian chants. About 200 supporters gathered to urge Vladimir Romanov to leave the club following Sunday's 1-0 loss to Rangers.
Hearts director Alex Koslovski has hit out at fans for booing the club's Lithuanian players during the defeat.
Midfielder Hartley said: "I think it's important that everything comes out in the open, that we start to talk."
Hearts fans have particularly been angered by the treatment of captain Steven Pressley, who recently voiced concerns about the running of the club.
The Scotland defender was missing from last Monday's draw with Falkirk following reports of a plot to oust him as captain.
 | Some players are not in favour with the fans because they are Lithuanian Hearts director Alex Koslovski |
He was then an unused substitute at Tynecastle on Sunday as Hearts ended their seventh game without a victory.
Lithuanian-based Russian businessman Romanov is expected to return to Scotland this week.
And Hartley, who was captain in Pressley's absence, would welcome an opportunity to make his feelings known.
"The sooner everything gets sorted, the better it will be for the club," he said.
"He will have stuff he wants to say to us.
"We all want to push in the same direction - the supporters, the players, the owner - and the only way to do that is for us to get our point across and for Mr Romanov to get his point across."
Hartley called for Pressley to be recalled to the starting line-up.
"He's our main man and he's a fantastic leader," he said.
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"The sooner he gets back in the team, the better."
Hartley could understand the concerns of the fans.
"There are a lot of us who don't like what's going - and they have a right to protest," he said.
The Scotland midfielder thanked the fans for backing the team but was disappointed that his Lithuanian team-mates suffered abuse.
"I condemn that," he said. "I don't like supporters booing their own players.
"They have to get behind them in difficult times like this."
Nerijus Barasa was singled out for booing, having replaced Robbie Neilson at right-back.
Kozlovski said: "I'm surprised about Barasa and I think it's a little bit of discrimination because he played very well.
"It's because he is Lithuanian. These players are not in favour with the fans because they are Lithuanian and that is not fair."
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