Duff sees echoes of mad Vlad at Hearts

JIM DUFFY has revealed Saturday’s controversy over Craig Levein’s influence at Hearts reminded him of his own time at the club – only Vladimir Romanov used to pass notes to the management team BEFORE the game.

Duffy spent a brief spell at Tynecastle in 2006, being promoted from the coaching staff after a fortnight to the role of director of football currently filled by Levein.

The current Morton boss lasted barely a month, though, being sacked along with head coach Graham Rix after the ruthless Romanov blasted results.

Levein was spotted passing instructions to the dugout as Hearts suffered a 2-0 defeat.

However, he believes Levein’s influence over head coach Ian Cathro is not a problem – as long as the pair’s roles were set out clearly when Cathro took over from Robbie Neilson in December.

Duffy said: “Obviously I was at Hearts when Vladimir Romanov was there.

“Unfortunately, he didn’t give you notes during the game, he gave you them before the game – who was to play and when the substitutions were to be made and things like that.

“So, it’s not unfamiliar territory for Hearts. If there is an influence there then it is perceived as [questioning] who’s in charge.

“The thing that was a bit strange for me was that Ian came out and said ‘I’m in charge’. He’s not.

“Craig’s the director of football, so he’s in charge. He appointed Ian, so he’s the boss in terms of the club and Ian will be the gaffer in terms of the football team.

“If that’s already agreed before you take the job then that’s fine.

“It’s only if you take the job and then it changes that it become difficult.

“I would guess that because Ian’s been appointed by Craig he’s been told by him ‘this is what happens at this club and this is the influence I have, or may have’.”