Former Hearts striker went boxing with Vladimir Romanov and would happily let Bohemians kids do the same

Roman Bednar says he would happily let Bohemians Prague players go boxing with the club owner like he did with Vladimir Romanov at Hearts.

Now a youth coach with the Czech side after retiring from playing, Bednar insists camaraderie is a vital part of team bonding.

He famously donned boxing gloves to spar with Romanov during Hearts’ pre-season tour of Austria in 2007.

He explained that such spontaneous acts help to foster team spirit, which is a vital part of his coaching philosophy.

Bednar’s Bohemians under-16 side enter under-17 football next season and he believes a light-hearted boxing bout with famous chairman Antonin Panenka would be no problem.

“Of course. If you have the goal to be successful, anything is possible,” says Bednar. “If you don't work hard, then you cannot do this. But if it's something funny to make the team laugh and you are on a high, then why not?

“I always look back on my time at Hearts because I really enjoyed it. There was a great time spirit and everyone was together. I miss all my old team-mates but enjoy working with the young players at Bohemians.”

Bednar’s young side scored a remarkable 101 goals in 16 league games this season before coronavirus forced football into shutdown.