Pressley to stay in the spotlight

HEARTS captain Steven Pressley today told boss Craig Levein he wants to remain the team’s official penalty taker after turning back the clock to score from the spot in style at Kilmarnock.

The Jambos skipper has insisted he will take the next spot-kick awarded to the Jambos after his Rugby Park effort - and his manager is unlikely to stand in his way.

Pressley led by example on Saturday when he stepped forward to convert a late strike to hand a lifeline to Levein’s side against Killie, the visitors going on to complete a superb fightback with Tommi Gronlund’s rocket shot two minutes later to level the match at 3-3.

The former Dundee United defender has revealed he used to assume the penalty responsibilities during his time at Tannadice - and he has no qualms about being put on the spot again for Hearts.

Former captain Colin Cameron had an impressive record as penalty take for the Jambos before his departure to Wolves earlier this season. With Stephen Simmons having since suffered mixed fortunes - he netted against Kilmarnock and Dunfermline but missed in the defeat by Livingston - Gary Wales had been lined up as his replacement.

With the striker having been substituted at Kilmarnock when Gordon Marshall sent Graham Weir tumbling in the box, it was thought that Kevin McKenna would be the man to shoulder the responsibility.

However, Pressley stepped in to comprehensively beat the former Celtic keeper and it appears his team-mates will now have a bit of a job relieving him of those duties.

"I certainly want to take the next one we get and I have told the players that," said the captain. "It was an important penalty for the team at a vital stage of the game against Kilmarnock and as captain I thought it was my responsibility to take it.

"At 3-1 down it was important to give us a lifeline in the match. I have had experience of taking them before because when I was with Dundee United I had the job for a while. I think I scored two out of three back then and having done the business against Killie I would like to think I can continue to take them for Hearts."

Levein was full of praise for the way Pressley took charge of the pressure situation so late in the game but admitted he was stunned to see his centre-half stride forward to take the kick.

The player himself can understand his manager’s reaction, admitting: "I think if you asked anyone at the club who is the worst finisher my name would rank extremely high on their list!

"But like I have said I scored and want to have the next one."

A feature of the dramatic draw was the performance of youngsters Weir and Paul McMullan, both thrown into the fray as Levein attempted to rescue something from the game.

McMullan looked lively on the left wing while Weir was involved in both goals as Hearts netted twice in the closing eight minutes.

They have been given their chance at the club due to the financial limitations being experienced at Tynecastle.

It is a trait becoming increasingly more common at Scottish clubs as the harsh realities of surviving in this day and age begin to bite.

But you won’t find Pressley joining the merchants of doom about the future of the game.

"One of the biggest positives for us from the game at Kilmarnock was the display of the young boys. They both staked a claim after they came on and it is very exciting for the club.

"I know there are financial implications for clubs now, but the good thing about that situation is it is allowing young lads the chance to play. Hopefully over the next few years we will see the benefit of that, especially at Hearts."

Taken from the Scotsman