We made Celts sore - now we can let out Hampden roar

CAPTAIN Steven Pressley knows from personal experience just how significant Hearts’ impressive victory over Celtic could prove as the teams prepare to lock horns again in Sunday’s Tennent’s Scottish Cup semi-final.

The Jambos upset the odds with a stunning display at Parkhead at the weekend, Lee Miller and Mark Burchill grabbing the goals which secured a shock 2-0 win over their hosts.

A dress-rehearsal for the last-four showdown at the National Stadium, it was the kind of performance which boss John Robertson always knew his players were capable of. Now, as he prepares his squad for another trip to Glasgow, this time with a place in the final of the national competition at stake, confidence in the camp has soared.

Almost seven-and-a-half years ago, Pressley was a member of a Dundee United side which faced Celtic in the league at Parkhead the week before the teams met in the League Cup final at Ibrox.

The Tayside outfit failed to recover from the 4-0 thrashing administered in the east end of Glasgow on Saturday, November 22, surrendering 3-0 in the final eight days later.

The memory of that back-to-back bashing by the Celts is still painful for the Hearts centre-half and that’s why Saturday’s triumph meant so much as he bids to lead his team into its first Scottish Cup final since that glorious day in May 1998.

"We know Celtic will come out with all guns blazing but if we continue to perform in the manner we did on Saturday there is every chance we can win the match," said Pressley, the only survivor from the last Hearts team to taste victory at Parkhead when a Colin Cameron double and a Gary Naysmith strike clinched a memorable 3-2 victory in February 2000 after the Jambos had trailed 2-0.

"We can take great belief from that result at Parkhead. I remember from my days at Dundee United when we played Celtic in the league at Parkhead and then the following weekend had to play them again in the League Cup final.

"It was a similar scenario to what we have just now but we were turned over in the first game then lost the final. The win at the weekend sets us up nicely for Sunday and gives us confidence. The same again will do nicely. We have set the standard now and maybe put a few negative thoughts into their minds. Although the result itself will have no bearing on the semi-final, it has given us a big psychological lift."

Last April, Hearts were left reeling at the same ground as Celtic stormed back in the dying minutes to snatch a 2-2 draw with two late goals. There was never any chance of such capitulation on this occasion. "I thought we were excellent in all departments," said Pressley.

"We were strong and aggressive but also showed the composure required to play at places like Parkhead. If you don’t have that composure then it just becomes relentless Celtic attacks.

"It was a fantastic result and over the piece I thought we created by far the better chances and were unfortunate not to extend the lead. It wasn’t a case of holding on as we continued to play and thoroughly merited the win.

"It was a truly professional performance by us, a European-style display. We were 2-0 up last season there late in the game and we knew we had to keep our concentration."

Robertson hailed the display of his "heroes" after the game but stressed it was only three points in the race for Europe. It was nonetheless a significant three points with both Hibs and Aberdeen winning at the weekend, the Jambos clinging on to their coat-tails in their bid for a third successive third-place finish in the SPL.

"A lot of people maybe thought the Celtic game was going to be the day our challenge ended in terms of our European aspirations," said the Hearts captain. "That’s why the win was a massive result."

The victory came just 24 hours after Tynecastle chief executive Phil Anderton had refused to guarantee Robertson’s long-term future at the club, insisting every employee at the club was under review.

"If we can continue to play the same way as we did at Parkhead then I don’t think the manager has too much to fear," said Pressley.

The Scotland defender was immense at the back alongside Andy Webster and he reserved special mention for 17-year-old left-back Lee Wallace, who defied his inexperience to turn in an outstanding 90 minutes in the Parkhead pressure-cooker.

"I thought Lee produced one of the best debuts at Celtic Park I have seen for a 17-year-old and I was delighted for him.

"For someone so young, it was a performance which showed maturity beyond his years and it will hold him in good stead for Hampden this weekend. There was a lot of pressure on him but he coped admirably."

Taken from the Scotsman