PEACE BREAKING OUT SAYS ELVIS

STEVEN PRESSLEY believes the Hearts players are ready to unite behind Vladimir Romanov.

The Jambos skipper effectively posted a motion of no confidence in the club owner on behalf of many of his team-mates last week.

Pressley has still to have talks with Romanov on the issues raised in his dramatic statement but says the atmosphere has already improved at Tynecastle.

And he praised stand-in boss Eduard Malofeev in particular ahead of today's trip to Celtic.

Pressley said: "The last week has been very good and sometimes when issues are addressed it galvanises and unites a club.

"I made the statement and now I hope the issues are being addressed. Then we can move forward and concentrate on getting positive results for Hearts.

"I made the statement for reasons I felt were correct and to the benefit of the football club.

"I felt, and a number of players felt, certain issues, principles and values needed to be addressed. We want to resolve the issues with Romanov and move forward. If they are addressed he'll turn this club into the success he wants it to be."

Pressley and many of his teammates were alarmed at the lapses in dressing-room discipline which went unpunished.

Favoured players kept their places in the team on the say-so of Romanov while others who had worked hard on the training ground weren't given a look-in.

However, Pressley insists that state of affairs is changing under Malofeev's experienced guidance.

The Scotland defender said: "Discipline has been key. I made it clear in the statement that there was only so much myself, a number of colleagues and the coaching staff could do.

"The lead had to come from above and we've very pleased it has and the issues are now being resolved. The issues cover the whole piece. If we don't have the proper values there's a feeling within the dressing room that an element of fairness is lost, particularly in terms of team selection.

"It can demotivate players if they feel things are not being done for the correct reasons.

"Eduard is very enthusiastic and demanding and makes sure we know what he expects, which is prompt and 100 per cent application."

Pressley also defended Malofeev's methods which have not found favour with everyone.

His old-school Soviet regime includes star jumps, jack-knifes, wheelbarrow races and even upper-body wrestling to build a health and fitness message.

Pressley said: "People in football, like any working environment, don't like change and are happy to operate in comfort zones.

"People become concerned at drastic change. Yes, it's different but I'm open-minded - there's no right or wrong way.

"Eduard is very enthusiastic, thorough and professional. I've been really encouraged by his approach."

Taken from the Daily Record