LOOK AFTER YOURSELF

IBROX legend Richard Gough has watched Steven Pressley take the weight of the world on his shoulders for 15 years.

Now the former Rangers idol fears the burden is in danger of burying Elvis unless he sheds some of the load.

Pressley, the kid who was known at Ibrox as 'Son of Gough,' is all man now as he stands up to the tyranny of Vladimir Romanov in the Hearts dressing-room.

But former Gers, Spurs and Scotland skipper Richard reckons his old protege has thrown himself on enough grenades to save his troops - it's time to protect himself now.

Gough said: "What's a captain's job? I always felt it was to set a good example, to lead the dressing-room from the front, to set guidelines about what was allowed and what was unacceptable.

"And that's exactly what I've seen Elvis doing these last few weeks.

"I watched him on TV with Craig Gordon and Paul Hartley and he got his message across very well.

"But now he's done that he needs to take a back seat.

"He's done his bit. More than his bit, in fact - everyone knows it's a shambles now. They can see what's going on. Punters are smart enough to get it. Elvis doesn't need to keep telling them.

"He's put himself up to be shot at and the problem is Mr Romanov doesn't seem to mind pulling the trigger. So it's time for Steven to get out of the way, one way or another, before he gets hurt.

"That means getting back to playing football, to doing what he's paid to, and let others sort it out."

Gough knows, though, it's unlikely to happen. He's seen enough of Elvis over the years to realise he wants to be in control.

He said: "I remember him when he came in to the Rangers team when he was a kid. His first Old Firm game was at left-back and he did so well.

"They used to call him 'Son of Gough' - that didn't do anyone any favours!

"But he looked at me and saw someone who, while not blessed with the most skill, had the attitude if you worked hard enough good things would come to you.

"He was deadly serious about things even then.

"When he left to go to Coventry he had only just turned 21. I watched him a few times on TV and he was struggling a bit. They were losing a few goals.

"So I phoned and told him to stop trying to take the weight of the world on his shoulders.

"He always wanted to take control of everything, to do everyone's job as well as his own. It was in his nature to take responsibility.

"And look at him now at 33 - he's still doing it.

"He's never shirked a thing in his life and you have to admire him for that, even if it's placed him in an untenable position at times these last few weeks.

"Actually, never mind few weeks he's been that way at Hearts for the last two years. Elvis IS the face of Hearts. He's been wheeled out to face the media every time, even when it shouldn't have been his responsibility.

"No-one ever knew what was going on, yet he was still there because he was the captain and because he was a leader.

"The problem in Hearts' dressing-room is you need everyone talking your language - literally and metaphorically.

"Yet the club has been through three coaches now in the last month or so. How the hell do you deal with that?"

Whatever happens this afternoon in the SPL crunch against Rangers at Tynecastle Gough reckons the only person to come out of the Jambos' turmoil with any self respect is his pal.

And Richard reckons whoever is in charge of the team today will be a mug if Elvis' name is not on the teamsheet.

But with stand-in skipper Christophe Berra providing the captain's notes for this afternoon's match programme that looks highly unlikely.

The future of his Scotland teammates Paul Hartley and Robbie Neilson, benched for the draw with Falkirk, looks equally cloudy.

And without any member of the technical staff made available to the media on Friday no-one knows if they'll be back there today.

Gough shrugged: "They should be playing. Any Hearts team without them is a weakened one. "But who knows what will happen? Either way Elvis is beyond criticism for what's gone on."

Taken from the Sunday Mail