Hearts skipper Pressley says they’ll be rockin at Raydale

By Amanda Little

Pressley admitted the Champions League-bound Jambos were fortunate to beat the brave Borderers on penalties at Hampden on Saturday.

Gretna lost 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out, with former Carlisle United players Derek Townsley and Gavin Skelton, both from Cumbria, missing.

But Gretna won an army of new admirers and Pressley is convinced Rowan Alexander’s Scottish Division Two champions can continue their astonishing rise through Scottish football and reach the top-flight.

“I really hope Gretna go on and do well as they have invested very well and that’s fantastic in Scottish football,” Pressley told News & Star Sport.

“They should be very proud of how they played. They have great experience in their squad and they are a goal-threat from numerous players.

“We didn’t seem to be able to go through the gears as we normally do but that’s not taking anything away from Gretna as they performed remarkably well.

“We didn’t play in our usual manner and that has to go down to Gretna. There was a potential upset on the cards and we had to show our mental strength against Gretna. I think they deserve enormous credit.

“I’m sure they will go on and do very well next season in Division One.”

Pressley rejected suggestions Hearts underestimated Gretna, who fought back to equalise through Ryan McGuffie.

Defender Robbie Neilson, who converted one of Hearts’ penalties, admitted Gretna were unlucky to lose.

Neilson said: “Gretna put us under a lot of pressure. They probably deserved more than they got.”