HEARTS plundered the ranks of owner Vladimir Romanov's 'other' team, FBK Kaunas, yet again yesterday to sign Polish midfielder Adrian Mrowiec.
The 24-year-old midfielder joins team-mate Marian Kello in being recruited from Rangers' Champions League conquerors this summer and follows a long list of arrivals from the Lithuanian outfit in recent years.
The news of a fresh face comes at th
e perfect time to try and raise spirits following Wednesday night's shock Co-operative Insurance Cup defeat on penalties to Airdrie.
However, given the standard of some previous signings from Kaunas, supporters may reserve judgment on the recruitment of yet another unknown from their feeder club.
Question marks were raised over Kello's transfer, with Romanov's remarks over the untrustworthiness of demoted No 1 Steve Banks suggesting the Russian-born banker had already reneged on claims he would take a step back from first-team affairs this season.
Manager Csaba Laszlo insisted he had the final say over the goalkeeper's loan deal, but the signing of yet another player from Kaunas will again raise doubts over Laszlo's role in player recruitment.
The Tynecastle head coach had identified central midfield as an area needing strengthening before Monday's transfer deadline, however. And he feels Mrowiec – who played in both legs against Rangers, as well as both 2-0 defeats to Danes Aalborg that saw Kaunas knocked out of the Champions League on Wednesday night – will prove a good signing.
He said: "This is a player that we wanted to sign and I am happy that he is coming to Hearts. We needed to strengthen the central midfield defensive position and I think Adrian will help us."
Laszlo is now expected to turn his attentions towards a new goalscorer, with Hearts' desperate need for a striker being highlighted by their inability to score in 120 minutes against Airdrie United. A loan move for Rangers' Alan Gow is a possibility if funds can be found.
Laszlo has insisted he is content with his team's progress, despite their sorry cup exit, and has urged supporters to retain their belief in the players after two league wins out of three so far.
He commented:
"We're not Barcelona and results like (Wednesday] night will happen as we progress. No team wins every game. But we have ideas and we must learn and progress. As a team we all have responsibility because we are doing a serious job. Everything is possible, though, and I am very satisfied with our progress."
The full article contains 424 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
