Speaking after FBK Kaunas, of whom he is a founding member and sponsor, knocked Rangers out of Europe, he said Hearts could not win the league.
"The main goal for Hearts is not winning the league; the main goal is to have young players playing and getting better.
"This might be the way for them to go to better teams."
In a remark similar to one he made about the Scottish press in September 2006, Romanov continued: "Forty years to come Rangers and Celtic will be leading in the Scottish Premier League, and they will be winning the league."
Romanov showed little sympathy for Rangers' plight, suggesting the aggregate win in the previous round against Santa Coloma was better.
"We don't think it's the best result because before the games against Andorra (Santa Coloma) we had problems in the line-up, we had no strikers," he said.
"Of course, the result is perfect but we hope we can go further now.
"With such a budget, it's very sad for you (Rangers) to play only in the Scottish league."
