Hearts Football Club News

• Nickname:The Hearts/ Jam tarts
• Founded:1874
• Manager:Stephen Frail

• Ground:Tynecastle
• Capacity:18,000

Hartley praises Pressley

20 Nov 2006 - 08:49:12

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Hearts midfielder Paul Hartley has backed Steven Pressley who was left out of the side for Sunday's home defeat to Rangers.

Hartley wore the captain's armband after Pressley was stripped of the role in the build-up to the game.

Pressley has criticised the club's hierarchy and there was a protest against the board of directors after the game.

"Compared to last season, where we had a mostly settled team, this season it has not helped us with different changes every week," Hartley said.

"You need a settled team if you want to progress. We've had a lot of turmoil since I've been at the club. We thought things had settled down but, maybe, it's just starting up again.

"I'm disappointed for Steven. He's our captain and a great leader.

"At the end of the day, it is not my decision but I would like to see him play. I want to see the best team on the pitch, but it is not to be."

Sporting director Alex Koslovski said of the 1-0 defeat to Paul Le Guen's side: "It was a game of equal opportunities and we didn't deserve to concede a goal.

"We pressurised them on the counter-attack and don't think we should have lost.

"Sometimes you miss the opportunities and lose the game. We tried to put pressure on the Rangers defence by changing things but it didn't work for us.

"I don't know what people want. The team gave 100 per cent and nobody can blame the players or accuse them of not giving 100 per cent.

"There is no problem here with team spirit in the dressing room. The quality and togetherness on the pitch is obvious.

"You cannot blame the players as they worked their socks off."