Why not bring back the glory days with Robbo?

A more experienced Andrew Driver may have done better when one on one with Artur Boruc, while Andrius Velicka hitting the side netting from close in was yet another major disappointment.

This Hearts side tries hard, but doesn't provide the service needed by strikers against top clubs, making it vital they stick the ball away when the chance arises.

Which is why I was heartened to see the club's record goal-scorer back at Tynecastle backing our boys to find their shooting boots.

John Robertson will always be a legend at Tynecastle, his god-like status illustrated by the incredible fact he remains the last man in maroon to hit 20 goals in a season since 1991-92.

There were tears on the terraces when Robbo left for Newcastle in 1988, but jubilation when he returned thanks, in part, to my good friend Ramez Daher whose business helped sponsor his wages to bring him home.

He remains the club's greatest ever goal-scorer. So when he says Velicka has got it where it counts, I believe him. Which makes rumours that Velicka could be sold to either Viking Stavanger or Bolton so alarming.

Hearts have already sold off arguably most of its best players in Craig Gordon, Paul Hartley and others in recent seasons. But we are yet to see any of their fees used to strengthen the club. In fact, we are being kept in the dark about what is the full picture at Hearts.

We are still awaiting the annual accounts that should have been made public by now, all against an unsettling backdrop of rumour on fan forums about bankruptcy and mass clear out of players.

Then look at Celtic.

They just announced trading profits of more than 10million and have slashed their debts by around 60 per cent. In doing so they continually invest in their team, a gulf in class all too apparent on Saturday.

There is undoubtedly great talent at Tynecastle, and fantastic youth players waiting in the wings for their chance. The fear is, they will simply be sold on too, much as is the case at Hibs.

Little wonder Hearts fans are left wondering what the future holds and why they despair at the thought of losing top scorer Velicka.

While he remains, it is clear that the big Lithuanian cannot do it all alone, he needs help up front.

Some of Hearts' most attractive football came when we played three up front – never more than when we had the Terrible Trio of Jimmy Wardhaugh, Willie Bauld and Alfie Conn.

Then again in the 80s we had Robbo playing with Sandy Clark and John Colquhoun ripping defences apart.

Of course, much of our problem has been down to uncertainty and lack of confidence. So here's something to mull over. John Roberson conducted himself with great deal of dignity when he was moved on as manager when the Romanovs took over.

The fact that he was able to support the club again at an official launch speaks volumes of the man, that he has no axe to grind, and remains very much part of the Hearts family. So why not bring him back into the fold?

At worst he could serve real purpose taking responsibility for coaching the striking pool, helping instil a sense of belief and the benefit of his experience.

Beyond that, perhaps Hearts could do worse than look at the co-management structure that existed when Alex MacDonald and Sandy Jardine were at the helm.

What do you think – could a Frail and Robbo double act put some heart and soul into the dressing room before all the family silver is allowed to go missing?

Europe where the Hearts are in memories of great adventures

WRITING this column from the sun-kissed vineyards of France this week, my thoughts turned fondly to the many European trips I've enjoyed following Hearts.

We Jambos have a proud tradition of European adventures, and I hope our recent fighting form can inspire us to clinch our place there next season.

Bordeaux is one trip that immediately springs to mind, the stunning result living long in the memory of those lucky enough to be there.

But it was Aberdeen's fantastic 2-2 draw midweek against the mighty Bayern Munich that set me on this journey down memory lane.

It was almost two decades ago this month, yet I can still remember Tynecastle bristling with excitement when the Germans came to Edinburgh in February 1989.

It was a bitterly cold night, but some 26,500 of us piled into the old stadium, creating one of the noisiest crowds I can ever remember in Gorgie.

Iain Ferguson handed us victory after he rammed home a free kick.

It set us up for an away leg in Munich a fortnight later, a 2-0 reverse dashing our hopes. I blamed that awful candy bar away strip.

But my main point is this. The SPL title is beyond us, and we are out of both Cup competitions.

Not withstanding Saturday's disappointment, our season need not be dead yet. Because in Europe, we have everything to play for. A thrilling finale to the season would be just reward for recent efforts.