By Julian Taylor

Vladimir Romanov is Hearts hard-to-please overlord

Unusually by their standards, it has been a quiet summer for everyone connected with Heart of Midlothian as the Edinburgh outfit get set for what should be another event-filled season.

Hearts fans have become used to the unpredictability and volatility surrounding Tynecastle since Vladimir Romanov took control.

And they can be guaranteed that their club will gather their share of media headlines under the controversial Lithuanian's command.

With the 2007/08 season upon us, Hearts still have to resolve the managerial set-up on a more permanent basis.

For example, how long will Anatoly Korobochka, the interim head coach, remain in the dug-out? There is also concern about the long-term future of coach Stephen Frail.

Perhaps the duo will last the course, or, if trigger-happy Romanov - who wrested a majority shareholding in a 2005 October revolution - takes the mood either or both could join a growing list of other incumbents.

Laryea Kingston is a driving force for the Jam Tarts

Valdas Ivanauskas, Eduard Malofeev, Graham Rix, John McGlynn, George Burley and John Robertson have all tasted life under Romanov, who is also the major sponsor of Kaunas and has a stake in Belarussian club MTZ-Ripo Minsk.

On the field, the Jam Tarts failed to build on their success in 2005/06 when the newly-crowned Scottish Cup winners earned qualification for the Champions League.

However, the dream debut in the competition ended in early failure at the hands of AEK Athens, swiftly followed by a Uefa Cup exit by Sparta Prague.

The club will be hoping to avoid further negative headlines, with the undignified and murky departures of Steven Pressley and Paul Hartley casting a shadow over Romanov's reputation.

After the inconsistency of 2006, Europe will not be on Hearts radar this season, so all eyes will be on how they fare domestically.

But, with the future of captain Craig Gordon shrouded in doubt, it is looking increasingly likely the Scotland goalkeeper will be playing elsewhere - most likely the English Premier League - sooner rather than later.

However, Laryea Kingston has been secured, and the impressive Ghanaian has already established himself a firm favourite with supporters which has helped soften the blow of Julien Brellier's departure to Norwich City.

Hearts will be relying on Andrius Velicka for firepower

The return of Michael Stewart from city rivals Hibernian was something of a surprise, and the midfielder will be striving to resurrect a stalled career.

The new season is, arguably, the last chance saloon for the ex-Manchester United player.

Also, can Hearts replace former defender Takis Fyssas with another of the same calibre?

The maroon half of Edinburgh can be forgiven for struggling to keep up the with revolving door at Tynecastle, with a raft of comings and goings from Romanov's Kaunas in particular.

Lithuanian international forward Ricaras Beniusis is the latest to arrive, along with winger Audrius Ksanavicius, and both will be hoping to earn a future alongside Andrius Velicka, who netted 11 goals last season.

Hearts can, furthermore, look to the return of Mauricio Pinilla, Roman Bednar and David Cesnauskis, and, if all three stay fit, a promising campaign lies ahead.

Another tilt at silverware this season will, at least, keep Hearts - arguably Scotland's third force - in the spotlight for all the right reasons, and not for any off-field turbulence.