Robbo is quick to back his captain

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS boss John Robertson today leapt to the defence of skipper Steven Pressley, insisting his captain is not a cheat.

The Gorgie boss was responding to Aberdeen star Noel Whelan’s stinging outburst after Hearts’ 1-0 win over the Dons on Saturday, the striker having sent Pressley tumbling in the box for the decisive second-half penalty which Dennis Wyness converted.

Whelan branded the Scotland star a "cheat" and a "coward" and insisted the 31-year-old had been "conning" referees for a long time.

Robertson has hit back at Whelan and launched a powerful defence of his inspirational leader.

"Elvis is a model professional and one of the most honest pros you will find in the game," he said. "He battles hard against opponents in what is the physical end of the game. He gets elbows in the face and gets whacked about but doesn’t complain.

"He was brought down in the box and the referee gave a penalty. Noel Whelan was obviously upset as it was his rash challenge which cost his side the game."

He added: "Steven Pressley is a great leader and a fantastic captain. He is an inspiration for us both on and off the park and his display alongside Andy Webster against Aberdeen showed why we are desperate to keep our best players."

Pressley and Whelan were embroiled in a titanic tussle from the first whistle on Saturday and the striker clearly felt the centre-half had made the most of his challenge just after the hour mark.

"What Pressley did was a disgrace - we were beaten by a cheat, plain and simple," he said. "For a professional footballer to behave like that is disgusting."

Before the game could restart after Wyness’ spot-kick conversion, Calderwood replaced his irate front man and said afterwards: "I am concerned about Noel. He should know better.

"He was up against two good defenders and got frustrated. That’s where the penalty came from."

Taken from the Scotsman