Hearts have blasted suggestions manager Csaba Laszlo has threatened to vacate their hot-seat after falling out with Vladimir Romanov. Reports claimed the club's majority shareholder snubbed his manager's pleas for a summer transfer budget of around £2m.

But a Hearts spokesman told PA Sport: "It is complete rubbish. I spoke to the manager this morning just to check and I got it from his own mouth that it's nonsense. He just laughed it off."

Laszlo has so far enjoyed a trouble-free relationship with Romanov, who has fallen out with previous managers since taking control of Hearts. Following his appointment last summer, the colourful Romania-born Hungarian has transformed the club's fortunes.

They finished eighth in the Scottish Premier League last season, but this term wrapped up third place - and a UEFA Europa League spot - with a game to spare. That landed Laszlo both the Scottish Football Writers' and SPL Manager of the Year awards.

Hearts are still around £30m in debt and will lose defenders Robbie Neilson and Christos Karipidis this summer, having already sold captain Christophe Berra in January. Other key men, such as Bruno Aguiar, Andrew Driver, Laryea Kingston and Lee Wallace, could yet follow.

Laszlo recently spoke of the need for Hearts to spend in order to build on this season's success. "I wish from the board to help us a little bit," he said.

"I know and everybody knows we are in a very special situation at the moment - only sale, sale, sale. For me, personally, now must come the signal from the club to buy - investment is very important."