SPFA OFFER FULL SUPPORT TO PRESSLEY

By Gavin McCafferty, PA Sport

Scottish Professional Footballers Association secretary Fraser Wishart has vowed to give Steven Pressley legal support in his dispute with Hearts after the Scotland defender was left out of the squad for 2-2 draw at St Mirren.

The long-serving Jambos skipper did not travel to Paisley amid reports he had been suspended.

The SPFA secretary confirmed the 33-year-old was "100% fit for Saturday's game and available for selection".

Pressley revealed "significant unrest" in the dressing room under the regime of majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov in October.

The defender was omitted from the squad for the draw at Falkirk last month at his own request after reportedly uncovering a plot to strip him of the captaincy.

Pressley then returned as an unused substitute for the defeat by Rangers before starting in the goalless draw at Inverness Caledonian Thistle last week.

And Romanov also described the player as the "cement" in the team, but the latest developments put his Tynecastle future in severe doubt.

Now the players' union have leapt to the defence of the Hearts stalwart.

Wishart said: "The SPFA condemns in the strongest of terms what it regards as the wholly unjustified treatment of Heart of Midlothian FC towards our member, Steven Pressley.

"The SPFA and its parent body, the GMB union, have long been concerned about the unorthodox managerial and employment practices of the club and the effects this has had on the personal and professional welfare of our members at the club.

"Steven Pressley has had and will continue to enjoy the full support and backing of the SPFA.

"We, along with our legal team, will offer Steven every assistance to enable him to seek redress via internal football procedures or other means."

Hearts head coach Valdas Ivanauskas expects an announcement to be made on the future of Pressley within the next 48 hours.

Ivanauskas told BBC Scotland: "If you want to ask me about Steven's situation, it will be tomorrow or Monday."

Midfielder Paul Hartley, who was alongside Pressley and goalkeeper Craig Gordon when he made his public statement in October, captained the team at Love Street.

But the former Hibernian player was dismissed during the game after receiving a second yellow card in the 75th minute.

Taken from sportinglife.com