Hearts look to rebuild Fortress Tynecastle

PAUL KIDDIE

STEVEN PRESSLEY wants to set the record straight.

Hearts had their pride hurt by the recent home defeat from Motherwell, the Steelmen becoming the first team outwith the Old Firm to win at Tynecastle in the SPL in two-and-a-half years.

Having returned to winning ways with the emphatic victory over Dunfermline in the Capital at the weekend, Gorgie skipper Pressley has urged his team-mates to establish an even better run of results.

The 31-year-old and his fellow defenders were rarely troubled as the hosts strolled to a 3-0 victory, goals from Dennis Wyness, Ramon Pereira and Paul Hartley (penalty) no less than Hearts deserved following a sublime display of attacking football.

The visit of the Pars marked the Jambos last home game before Christmas, champions Celtic striding into town on Boxing Day for a live televised affair which will undoubtedly be a much sterner examination.

The Old Firm have been fine exponents of the art of taking points from Tynecastle in recent times - but that won’t be for much longer if Pressley has his way.

"It was very disappointing to give up the record against Motherwell which we had built up over the past two-and-a-half-years," he said.

"The most important thing to do was bounce back in the appropriate manner and again show that we are a difficult side to take anything from on our own ground.

"Obviously over the past two-and-a-half years, the Old Firm have left Tynecastle with maximum points but it’s our intention now that no team manages to do that.

"We have lost one record but the aim now is to establish a new one. We have lost just two goals in the league at home this season and that is also a record we want to protect.

"We want to ensure that coming to Tynecastle shouldn’t be an easy afternoon for any side."

Central to the style of play which dismantled the injury-hit Fifers were the performances of Joe Hamill and Dennis Wyness, two of the players revelling in the confidence they have found under their new manager.

Always keen to get on the ball and take people on, youngster Hamill continued his recent excellent form with another eye-catching display at the weekend.

Wyness, too, looks a different proposition these days, with Robertson helping him rediscover the kind of form which made the striker such a hit at Inverness Caley.

The pair combined well to carve out the opener on Saturday and Pressley has welcomed their emergence, insisting the pair can go on to be key contributors to the Jambos’ campaign.

"I thought Joe’s performance was exceptional on Saturday. He’s playing really well just now and has a lot more confidence about him.

"He did well at Ibrox against Rangers and also in Basel and is getting better with every game.

"He is now doing things in games which we have been seeing week in, week out in training and if he continues to contribute the way he is then he will be a fabulous player for this club.

"Some of Joe’s performances have been excellent but part of the problem with youngsters is consistency but his confidence has grown and he’s going to be a key player for us this season as he is so creative.

"If he keeps progressing he’ll be a marvellous player for Hearts.

"He’s been in and out of the side over the past year but I’ve noticed improvement in him. Consistency with forward players is harder to get as us defenders can just kick the ball out of the stand and get applauded for it!

"It’s more difficult for creative players to attain consistency as that is the harder side of the game."

He added: "I am also delighted for Dennis as people have doubted him in the past.

"We are well aware of the quality he possesses as we train with him every day and I think he has benefited from being given a prolonged run in the side under the new manager.

"He was excellent again on Saturday and we are really happy for him as he is not only a great player but a smashing lad as well.

"Hopefully he can go from strength to strength."

New Scotland boss Walter Smith was an interested spectator at the weekend, casting an eye over the defensive trio of Pressley, Andy Webster and Craig Gordon as well as Future recruit Paul Hartley.

"I don’t think Walter will have learned too much about us at the back as with all due respect to Dunfermline, we weren’t troubled very often," added the skipper.

"As he has been doing for months now, Paul had another excellent game for us in what was a good afternoon all-round.

"The only disappointing aspect was the fact we didn’t score more goals. But we can’t be too critical because the manner of the win was highly satisfying.

"We passed the ball extremely well, were very composed in possession and carved out a number of very good opportunities.

"In particular, I thought we played some exceptional football in the first 15 minutes. The important thing was that we not only performed very well but won the game, too."

Taken from the Scotsman