Pressley in fight to face Gers

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS skipper Steven Pressley is facing a race against time to be fit for Sunday’s SPL showdown with Rangers at Tynecastle.

The centre half is struggling to make the clash after injuring his back while on international duty with Scotland last week.

He was ruled out of the friendly against Spain in Valencia after suffering back spasms and had failed to recover in time to line up against Slovenia in last night’s opening World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park as Berti Vogts’ side launched their campaign with a disappointing 0-0 draw. Having received continuous treatment from the Scots medical team this week, he will report back to Tynecastle physio Alan Rae today when his chances of being declared fit for the weekend will be further assessed.

Boss Craig Levein, will be reluctant to press his captain into action if he doesn’t feel he is 100 per cent ready.

The Jambos are entering a hectic and crucial month with the UEFA Cup clash against Portuguese side Braga as well as CIS Cup meeting with Kilmarnock and leagues games against Dunfermline and Inverness Caley Thistle all to be played in the month of September.

Levein’s priority will be to have him fully fit for the UEFA Cup first round, first leg clash with Braga at Murrayfield a week today, rather than gamble with him being out of action for a prolonged period if risked on Sunday.

Mark de Vries is set to figure at some stage of the match, while midfielder Michael Stewart should be available for selection after twisting his ankle in the Bank of Scotland Festival Cup win over Hibs on Saturday.

Alan Hutton, meanwhile, is a doubt for Rangers for the weekend.

The right-back was stretchered off during the Scotland Under-21s’ UEFA Championship qualifier against Slovenia, which saw Rainer Bonhof’s men held to a 1-1 draw last night.

A touchline collision with Dejan Urbanc left Hutton requiring extensive treatment on an ankle ligament injury before eventually leaving the field.

He will undergo a scan and X-ray later today to assess the damage ahead of the trip to Tynecastle.

Rangers manager Alex McLeish already has injury problems to contend with as he looks to keep the pressure on Old Firm rivals Celtic with victory over the Gorgie outfit.

Alex Rae is out with a torn calf and he joins longer-term casualties Gavin Rae and Hamed Namouchi on the sidelines.

Taken from the Scotsman