| Back to all reports for 13/11/2006 | ||||
| <-Page | <-Team | Mon 13 Nov 2006 Falkirk 1 Hearts 1 | Team-> | Page-> |
| <-Srce | <-Type | Herald ------ Players | Type-> | Srce-> |
| Eduard Malofeev | <-auth | MARK WILSON | auth-> | Mike McCurry |
| 33 | of 080 | Andrius Velicka 65 Latapy 84 | L SPL | A |
Has Elvis left the building?MARK WILSON November 14 2006 Steven Pressley's future at Hearts was plunged into doubt last night after the Tynecastle club took a further step towards implosion prior to their 1-1 draw with Falkirk in the Bank of Scotland Premierleague. There were suggestions that the 33-year-old Scotland defender had been stripped of the captaincy after being dropped from the team, but that remains unclear as Craig Gordon later insisted Pressley still held the position. Pressley, though, did not travel to the Falkirk Stadium and there were reports that he had made himself unavailable for selection, with one Hearts source hinting that he was "not mentally prepared" for the fixture. Pressley, of course, fronted last month's expression of concern by leading players at the direction the club was taking under Vladimir Romanov's guidance. Paul Hartley, who also presented that statement to the media alongside Gordon, was dropped to the bench last night. He was joined there by Robbie Neilson in a further diminishment of the experienced Scottish core which has steadied Hearts throughout their numerous trials and tribulations of the past two seasons. Last night's changes were widely perceived as Romanov taking his revenge, via Eduard Malofeev, the interim coach, for the criticism he had received. Gordon said it was "possible" that was the reason for the highly controversial omissions, but expressed a deep hope this would not mark the end of Pressley's eight-year stay at the club. "I know that's something that will be in the press over the next few days but he is 100% committed to Hearts," said the goalkeeper. "He wants to give everything for the club and the supporters and I'm sure he'll come back into the team. "I've spoken to him a few times and he wanted the boys to go out and get a result for the football club. It's a very upsetting time for him and his family, but I know he'll be back from this." Gordon also said he was convinced Pressley would remain in his position as captain, despite fears to the contrary. "Absolutely. Steven is the captain and has been for a number of years," he said. "I don't see anyone in the dressing room replacing such a big character. I think the vast majority, if not every single player, would back him." Malofeev told the team meeting he was "not getting enough from the experienced players" and decided to ring the changes. "It was a strange meeting," admitted Gordon, who insisted he was not considering his own Hearts future. "I don't think anyone could believe what they were seeing but we had to get on with it as professionals. I was annoyed and had to put myself in the frame of mind to do a job for the fans." No other Hearts official or member of the backroom staff was available for interview after the match. Christophe Berra, the 21-year-old centre-back, took over the captaincy last night while, perversely, there was also a starting place for Julien Brellier. The French midfielder is widely known to be among Romanov's least favourite players and has featured only intermittently this season. It is, though, Pressley's situation which will most alarm the Hearts supporters who chanted his name as the match against Falkirk kicked off. Romanov's assertion that the entire first-team squad would be sold to "Kilmarnock or whoever will have them" if they lost to Dunfermline last month was the outburst which prompted Pressley, Hartley and Gordon to go public with their disaffection. Hearts landed themselves in further trouble as Malofeev was sent to the stand last night after an altercation with the fourth official, John McKendrick, following Falkirk's late equaliser. Andrius Velicka, who scored Hearts' goal, was trying to get back on the field after treatment to a head wound when Malofeev clashed with McKendrick. A Tynecastle spokesman later claimed the Belarussian had mistaken the official for a Falkirk coach, leading to his angry response when he thought the striker was being prevented from returning to the field of play. Malofeev is widely expected to be replaced by Eugenijus Riabovus in the near future, as he leaves the club to seek UEFA qualifications. The long-term position of Valdas Ivanauskas, on leave to recover from a stress-based illness, remains unclear.  Taken from the Herald |
||||
| 