Johnson reflects on ‘carnage’ of Romanov’s reign
LEE JOHNSON has branded his stormy stint as a player at Hearts as “complete carnage” and claimed Vladimir Romanov once wanted to put his tongue in a “vice”.
But Hibernian’s new manager insists he has ‘ no regrets’ over the spell and has vowed to ensure his return to the capital in the dugout is less turbulent.
With the madcap reign of Romanov in full swing, Johnson was the first of an incredible 11 signings made by Hearts in January 2006.
Just a few weeks later, the midfielder was already out in the cold and then left in the August hinting his face did not fit with Romanov after just five appearances.
He said: “It was crazy. It is definitely a chapter in my book, let me tell you! It was an interesting time and it was difficult.
“I had moved up with my wife and we’d moved from a very secure friend base on a social level and were then dropped into complete carnage, if I’m honest with you.
“But it was part of my experience and football is wonderful for that. You get to meet great people and you get to experience big games, big atmospheres and I did that.
“So, do I regret it? No. Was it a part of what I am today? Absolutely. But, at the same time, there are some really good stories and one day I will be able to tell them.
“I think the last time Romanov commented on me he said he wanted to put my tongue in a vice!”
Johnson was signed for Hearts by Graham Rix but the head coach’s departure soon after as another victim of the Tynecastle managerial merry-go-round helped show Hibs’ new boss the value of a steadying influence in the dugout.
Johnson arrives at Easter Road as a replacement for Shaun Maloney, who lasted just four months at the helm, but is confident he can provide the right leadership to players who have underperformed this season.
He added: “A squad needs emotional stability and it is hard being a footballer. It is really difficult because it is intense, there’s the pressures and entourages.
“But the focus, and I don’t think this is the case at times, has to be impressing the manager.
“At times, it is about Twitter followers, Instagram, girlfriends, potential next clubs and agents, and that can all get in the way.
“To deeply work as any practitioner, whether that is manager, player, physio, you’ve got to have full focus. That is the bit I will try to encourage the players to do, particularly in this day and age when there are so many ‘addictions’, so many options that lead to addictions.
“I would say my leadership style is warm but demanding. I want the rapport with players but at the same time I expect certain standards to be delivered every day.”
With those standards, the former Oldham, Barnsley, Bristol City and Sunderland manager is convinced Hibs can recover from a substandard campaign and eventually put in a challenge to the Old Firm.
Asked if he believed Hibs could go toe to toe with Celtic and Rangers during his reign, the 40-year-old said: “I will, and that’s what I’ve got to portray to the players.
“Actually, if you look at my playing history up here, I beat Celtic twice [in 2012] – once in the Scottish League Cup final, and in the league away, which was the first time Kilmarnock had done it in a long time [since 1955]. We beat Rangers early on in their show of unity as well.
“So, I think you can have a go at these teams, I really do. I think it’s an attitude.”