'There has been no-one that has done more for the club than Elvis'

HEARTS fans have plenty to say after the treatment of their skipper Steven Pressley:

Carol Home, Aberdeen: "What can you say about the latest events? It's a disgrace that Steven Pressley has been stripped of the captaincy for a start. Also, for Pressley, Neilson and Hartley to be dropped to make way for the team that played Falkirk is nothing short of a disgrace. Gordon would have been dropped too if it hadn't been for the big English clubs sniffing around after him."

Joe Thompson, Bonnyrigg: "I think that we should stick by Vladimir Romanov. He's the man who brought the Scottish Cup to Tynecastle and he'll get us there in the end. I thought that Miko was superb last night. I still believe in Vlad."

Alex Laidlaw, Newcraighall: "The team selection was nothing short of a joke again. What's the point of putting in Brellier and taking out Hartley, Neilson and Pressley? That's not any closer to putting out our strongest team. It's a disgrace that Elvis has been stripped of the captaincy, too."

Barry Mitchell, Riccarton: "Romanov has treated so many people very badly and Elvis is just the latest victim of that. You have to worry that with how badly things are going so quickly that Romanov is going to walk away sooner rather than later. If he does that, I don't know where it leaves the club but it's certainly not good."

Gordon Richardson, South Queensferry: "I am totally disgusted by what has happened at Hearts. Steven Pressley has been a rock for the club and we all know the role that he has played in holding together, to the best of his ability, what has been a totally divided first-team squad for a while. During the last couple of turbulent years, there has been no-one that has done more for the club than Elvis. I hope he's back in the fold soon because he deserved his place in the Hearts Hall of Fame because he is a legend."

Jimmy Walsh, Newington: "It's just another day of madness at Tynecastle and nothing surprises me at Hearts anymore. I'd like to think that the majority of fans who still believe will get their heads out of the sand with this news and start realising what Vladimir Romanov is doing to Hearts."

Alan Nelson, Edinburgh: "What on earth is going on within Tynecastle? Have Romanov and his merry men finally, really lost the plot? Hearts are supposed to be chasing titles and cups, improving on last season and here we are, a laughing stock, media circus and absolute mess! How can Pressley be dropped and stripped of the captaincy after the leadership and unity he's brought to the dressing room? He should be knighted for carrying the can in Romanov's power games. We are a spiralling ship heading south unless stability and common sense are addressed now. Our strongest team every game, not poor quality seconds or thirds."

Car, Elphinstone: "Vlad the dictator shows his true self. He should be ashamed of himself. To treat Elvis like this is a disgrace. If Elvis is gone so will I. I won't renew my season ticket and I won't be going to anymore away games. He is killing my beloved, once very proud club. Hearts will die soon. Good luck to Elvis, Zico, Craig and Robbie. I hope they get out soon. Vlad is mad - I am disgusted."

Caz Wright, Inch: "I'd like to thank Steven Pressley for his unforgettable contribution to Heart of Midlothian Football Club. True fans will always remember him as a great. I, like most Hearts fans, have always been willing to give Romanov the benefit of the doubt, but what he has done to Pressley, Hartley and Neilson is unforgivable. We have to let him know his pettiness is hurting the fans, all because Pressley stood up for the club and the fans. The club is the fans and not Vladimir Romanov."

Norrie Layt, Musselburgh: "I said in your paper last week I was glad there were still some people left at our club with pride. This has been borne out. Steven Pressley you are an ambassador and still our skipper and we salute you."

Michael Gallagher, Gorebridge: "Robbo, Burley, Anderton, Webster, Skacel and now Brellier all can't be wrong. Time now to let Romanov know this is our great club."

Scott, Corstorphine: "Much more desire and effort at Falkirk. The players on the park looked interested - have the trouble makers been weeded out?"

Jim Ross, Leith: "Enough is enough. It is time for Admiral Romanov to sail his submarine into Leith and fill it full of all the dead wood and people masquerading as football coaches at Riccarton and take them back to the Baltic. When he opens his bank in Edinburgh, I shall be his first customer - to secure a loan to buy Hearts and return things to normal."

Charlie Duncan, The Inch: "It seems to be only defeats that bring Mr Romanov to his senses so, with the present ineptitude of his coaching staff, except the British contingent, a few heavy defeats is probably what he needs."

Thomas Buchan, Armadale: "I would just like to comment on what happened to Steven Pressley. I think Hartley and the other Edinburgh players have been disgracefully handled."

Alex Paterson, Lochend Road: "I don't blame Elvis for walking out, Romanov has messed the Jambos about from pillar to post. The majority of the players feel very unhappy at Tynecastle. We were in a strong position with a strong team, now Romanov has upset the applecart and a possible chance in Europe again. Something drastic has to happen."

Terry Hughson, Musselburgh: "It is obvious that Romanov has a hidden agenda and anyone who supports him now is blinkered to that. Perhaps he kept Tynecastle for his own future profit? I thought all the protesting was over after Robinson but, unfortunately, the Hearts fans have to stand up again as he's dragging the club's name down every day. Steven Pressley was the one who kept the club together over the past few seasons and to treat him like this should be the last straw for all true Hearts fans."

Allan Knox, Dalkeith: "Since Stephen Pressley joined in 1998 no other individual has done more for Hearts - not Jefferies, not Levein, not Burley, not even Robbo and not Vladimir Romanov. Stick in, dig deep and rock on, Elvis."

Depressed Den: "When Zaliukas plays its like we are playing with ten men, Barasa is an embarrassment, Mikoliunas has been out of form for weeks and Jankauskas is a prima donna who nwon't play reserve games but when fit expects to just walk into the first team. Ivaskevicius isn't any better. Only Velicka and Cesnauskas are worth being at Tynecastle. Add to that the merry-go-round with head coaches and we will be lucky if we end in the top half of the league. The dream is over. This is no way to run a club or treat a set of supporters."

John Stickland, Gorgie: "Steven Pressley epitomises the spirit of Heart of Midlothian and is a true Hearts legend. Every Jambo who knew Rab McLean will never forget what Elvis did for him."

Flora Cooper, Bathgate: "They bring back fans' favourite Brellier on Monday night, and then take the heart and soul out of our team by sickening our captain Elvis, not content with that, they drop Paul Hartley the best midfielder in Scotland and our unsung hero Robbie Neilson. It is a slap in the face for these players and for the true Hearts fans. A coach that can't even speak English is a joke. John McGlynn should be taking charge of the team. Something has to be done at Tynie sooner rather than later. When is Romanov going to speak in English and tell us the truth."

Graham Burnett, Lochend: "Private Jones may have said 'don't panic' but perhaps it is now time for panic to set in. I have to admit to being pro-Romanov up until Ivo was sent home suffering from the cold never to be seen again. It is now blatantly obvious that the man is empire building and that our football team is something that he has to step on and squash to ferret his way into Edinburgh's financial institutions. I will tell you what, though, there is no way that man is getting my shekels. He does not have our interests at heart because, if he did, our crop of managers, or should I say trusted lieutenants, would never in a million years be dropping Pressley, Hartley or Brellier unless they were playing like, well, Zibi on a bad day, and they haven't been that bad, have they?"

Taken from the Scotsman