ELVIS SO PROUD TO BE MOST CAPPED JAMBO

STEVEN PRESSLEY is already a Hearts hero. On Wednesday night he will become a Tynecastle legend.

When he walks out at the St Dariaus and St Gireno Stadium in Kaunas he will become the club's most capped player when he surpasses Bobby Walker's record of 29 Scotland caps.

Pressley, who is set to play despite a shoulder injury he picked up at Parkhead, said: "I actually read a piece in the Hearts programme a couple of months ago that the record was 29 caps and I was aware I was just one or two games away. I equalled that tally on Saturday and hopefully if my shoulder bears up I can beat that.

"It's something I'm proud of because you can look back over the years at the football club and there have been some fantastic players who have played for Hearts. So to achieve that will be a great honour." And it will mean so much more to Pressley that this has come later on his career.

He said: "I look at Paul Hartley as well which shows that players develop at different levels. Some come on the scene and make a big impact as a younger player, but Paul is similar to myself and has been a late developer.

"He had all the attributes but has finally put them all together. And because this has happened to me a bit later I do think I appreciate it more."

Pressley admitted he would enjoy walking back into the Hearts dressing room if Lithuania are dispatched on Wednesday, for very obvious reasons.

And team-mate Craig Gordon agreed it would be nice if the Scots boys were smiling when all those involved met up at training on Friday.

The keeper, with a smile, said: "Once we beat them, I'm sure the joking will start.

"It wouldn't be nice to go back to Hearts if we get beat. There are a lot of Lithuanians at the club and there are more coming in.

"I just hope that it's us who have the bragging rights when we get back to Hearts."

Gordon knows more about Lithuanian football than most and doesn't need to be told how difficult the task is that awaits the Scots.

A victory would send Walter Smith's squad into the home match against France in great spirits.

Gordon said: "Lithuania will be especially strong at home and we will need to go there and play a different style. Hopefully, we can get a good result."

Taken from the Daily Record