Pressley relieved to escape Scot free

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS skipper Steven Pressley today relived the moment he feared he was seriously injured against Dundee.

The Scotland star was hurt by a wild challenge from international team-mate Lee Wilkie during his team’s 2-1 win at Dens Park on Tuesday, the late tackle leaving the Jambos captain clutching his leg in agony.

The incident sparked a free-for-all among both sets of players, many observers believing the Dundee defender was fortunate just to see yellow for the 65th-minute lunge.

There were real concerns at the time that the inspirational 30-year-old could have broken his leg on his return to the starting line-up after weeks on the sidelines with a thigh injury.

Boss Craig Levein breathed a huge sigh of relief when his captain was able to resume after treatment, although Pressley today revealed he had feared the worst as he lay slumped on the turf with no feeling in his leg.

"Lee was slightly late with the challenge and his knee caught the side of mine and there was numbness there for a period of time when I wasn’t sure what the exact damage was," he said. "There was relief when I was able to get back on my feet and put pressure on it.

"It’s a bit tender but I feel fine and I’m sure I’ll be okay for the weekend.

"I was just delighted to be back in amongst things after being out for so long."

Pressley’s initial return from the thigh injury suffered in the 2-0 win over Hibs at Tynecastle in November was against Kilmarnock three weeks later, although a recurrence of the problem saw him leave the field after just 20 minutes.

In hindsight, the Scotland defender knows he came back too soon, but he insists that is just his character.

"It’s been a difficult period for me and maybe I pushed myself a wee bit too soon. I set myself back slightly but not too much.

"I knew straight away the injury wasn’t right so came off against Killie. Our physio Alan Rae said initially it would be five or six weeks so maybe it was a bit premature to try after three. He has been proved spot-on."

The win helped the Jambos kick off 2004 in encouraging fashion, Alan Maybury’s late strike opening up a three-point gap over fourth-placed Dunfermline.

And while Levein admitted there was a number of things in the game for him to be pleased about, the most important of all, as far as the Gorgie chief was concerned, was that goalkeeper Craig Gordon made a mistake.

There were question marks over the 21-year-old at Duncan McLean’s equaliser ten minutes from time, but Levein insisted he was happy to see the youngster, who was watched last night by Manchester City, make an error which didn’t prove too costly.

Gordon has exploded onto the scene this season after ousting Tepi Moilanen but Levein has been eager to play down his emergence onto the big stage, the Hearts boss insisting the Finn is still his No.1.

While looking for the 21-year-old to bounce back from the error, the Tynecastle boss will keep faith in him for Saturday’s visit of Berwick Rangers in the Tennent’s Scottish Cup.

"There were a few important things to emerge from the Dundee game," he said. "We saw Steven Pressley return and Alan Maybury came back from suspension. He did well while Mark de Vries got 90 minutes under his belt.

"But probably most important of the lot, Craig Gordon made an error. I’ve been waiting for that to happen and it was good to see him respond to it by pulling off a great save from Barry Smith in the closing minutes.

"The best keepers are the ones who have nothing to do for long periods in a game but are there when called upon. He didn’t do that at Dens Park and this is a test for him. But I am sure he will respond in the right manner.

"I am just glad he made a mistake that didn’t cost us the game."

Levein kept faith with his young keeper after the Jambos’ 2-1 CIS Cup win over Falkirk in October, Gordon at fault for Russell Latapy’s counter for the Bairns. But he has since bounced back with a string of impressive performances and his manager is looking for a similar response this time.

"We stuck with Craig earlier this season and we will do so again on this occasion," he said.

"We have talked about the need to experience setbacks and how someone responds."

Taken from the Scotsman