Pressley leaves Hearts!

[bricktop]

Skipper Pressley leaves Hearts after Romanov row

Hearts captain Steven Pressley has agreed to part company with the club with immediate effect.

The Scotland international revealed 'significant unrest' within the dressing room under the regime of majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov in October.

But the 33-year-old was omitted from the squad for the Bank of Scotland Premier League draw at Falkirk on November 13 amid reports he had uncovered a plot to strip him of the captaincy.

The defender returned to the squad as an unused substitute for the home defeat by Rangers the following weekend where around 200 supporters demonstrated against Romanov after the 1-0 loss.

Pressley returned to the starting line-up for the goalless draw at Inverness Caledonian Thistle a fortnight ago.

But he was omitted from the squad again last week as the Jambos drew 2-2 at St Mirren.

Now, after over eight years at Tynecastle, Pressley has left the club.

Pressley said in statement: 'I have enjoyed my time at Tynecastle enormously and will be sad to leave the club.

'Particularly, I would like to thank the fans for their support during my time at the club.

'I wish the club, the management, and my fellow players, the coaches and the fans every success in the future.'

Pressley joined Hearts in the summer of 1998 after leaving Dundee United and lifted the Tennent's Scottish Cup for the Jambos in May and helped the team claim a Champions League qualifying berth this season.

The centre-half has been a mainstay of the team since joining the Edinburgh club.

Hearts head coach Valdas Ivanauskas said: 'It has been a difficult few weeks for both the club and Steven.

'We recognise the tremendous contribution that Steven has made both as a player and as captain at Tynecastle over the years and we wish him all the best for the future.'

Asked if he will be looking for a Scottish skipper to replace Pressley, Ivanauskas said: 'Yes, because we have Scottish players who are special players, it is important for the club and the supporters.'The Scottish Professional Footballers Association have been advising Pressley throughout his dispute with Hearts.

But SPFA secretary Fraser Wishart believes the statement will be the end of the issue as far the defender is concerned.

He said: 'I don't think we will hear anything more from Steven on this matter.

'He feels enough has been said. It is a relief from the pressure of the past five or six weeks.

'He wants to get on with his life and his career and find a new club.'

source (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=395232&cc=5901)

and the Romanov soap opera continues...

[jimmy]

they're not doing themselves any favours, at all. would be suprised to see them finish above either hibs or aberdeen let alone the old firm.

wonder what's next for elvis, hope he stays put in scotland to bite romanov in the ass, 5 games short of a new contract apparently and then he gets the treatment he's recieved over the last while, truely shocking after his services to the club,

romanov is a mad man and not good for the scottish game

[larsson17]

still think elvis has alot of offer the game in scotland, Rangers could do much worse than take him on board :)

[larsson17]

Strachan coy over Pressley rumours

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan has refused to rule out a possible swoop for Steven Pressley after the defender's release from Hearts on Saturday.
Celtic FC Goal Alerts

Strachan has admitted he is looking to strengthen his defence in the January transfer window, with Gary Caldwell and Stephen McManus both currently missing through injury.

On Friday, the Hoops boss praised Pressley's influence at Tynecastle but when asked to confirm or deny an interest in Pressley, Strachan responded: "I'm not going to say that. I'm not going to say anything."

He added: "Since I have been back in Scotland, I have been complimentary about the Scottish players at Hearts.

"I think those players have been fantastic for Hearts, but I have spoken about others as well as Pressley."

Pressley has been linked with a host of clubs, including two of his former employers Rangers and Dundee United as well as Southampton, Leeds and Derby in the Championship.

However, it is unlikely United, managed by former Hearts boss Craig Levein, would be able to match the 33 year-old's wages ,while it has been reported that Gers boss Paul Le Guen is keen to stick with his current central defensive partnership of Karl Svensson and Brahim Hemdani.

Southampton boss George Burley told the BBC: "I'm monitoring Steven Pressley's situation.

"But I would have to wait and see if we could do anything in the January transfer window."

Pressley is not eligible to play for a new side until January 1.

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[Harv]

Hopefully Burley can convince him to move to down south...

We could certainly do with an experienced player like Pressley...

[bricktop]

more speculation on his future destination:

Celtic make approach to Pressley

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has met freed Hearts captain Steven Pressley in Glasgow about a possible January move to the Scottish champions.

A club source told BBC Sport: "It's too early to say they are in talks. Steven simply had a natter with Gordon, whom he knows from his time at Coventry."

Pressley plans talks with other clubs in the coming week.

It is understood there has so far been no contact from Southampton or Derby County for the Scotland defender. The English clubs were among the first to be linked with the 33-year-old following his acrimonious departure from Tynecastle.

But, with Pressley's wife expecting a new child within the week, he will take his time to make a decision about whether to remain in Scotland or move to England.

Southampton manager George Burley told BBC Sport: "I'm aware of Steven Pressley's situation and I'm monitoring it.

"But I would have to wait and see if we could do anything in the January transfer window." Despite leaving Hearts at the weekend, Pressley is ineligible to sign for another employer until the opening of the transfer window. Pressley's last game for Hearts was the goalless draw way to Inverness Caledonian Thistle in November.

The Scotland international joined Hearts in 1998 but recently fell out of favour after voicing concern about the way the club was being run by majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov. Rangers were thought to head the queue for the services of Pressley, who has been capped 27 times by Scotland and began his career at Ibrox. Dundee United, Dunfermline, Leeds and Cardiff have also been linked with the centre-half.

Sheffield United, Reading and Watford are among the Premiership clubs said to be keen, but Pressley could be interested in joining up with his former boss at Hearts.

Burley has a record of attracting players who previously played under him. Former Hearts midfielder Rudi Skacel, Spurs striker Grzegorz Rasiak and ex-Derby playmaker Inigo Idiakez joined forces with their previous boss in preference to Premiership clubs.

bbc (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/6168297.stm)

[Seany463]

Pressley is pish unfortunately.

Fair enough he'll run through a brick wall for you and plays for his shirt, but just because someone runs around like a headless chicken the whole match doesnt mean they're a good player.

If he comes to Celtic then i'll be severely disappointed, I don't think he'll be accepted by the fans either (un?)fortunately! Rangers will bid & he'll accept.

Why he's still in the Scotland team in front of the likes of Russell Anderson to name but one, I really don't know.

Sad to see him treated like this by Hearts non-the-less.

Good Luck min... You'll need it!