'Trialist' Pressley underlines dedication to Hearts

HEARTS manager George Burley is confident that the impasse over Steven Pressley's contract will be resolved later this week.

It emerged on Friday that the Scotland defender is free to leave Tynecastle despite signing a new deal in March.

The player is refusing to sign an updated version of his contract - introduced by the SPL in the summer - as it now includes a clause giving clubs the power to release players who have been injured for six months.

However, Burley believes Pressley will remain at Tynecastle and said: "I thought the situation with Steven's contract was strange to say the least but Steven wants to stay at Hearts and I certainly want Steven to stay at Hearts.

"I think it will be sorted out in the next few days, I know Steven will speak to the club during the week to try and get everything sorted out. He is very committed to Hearts."

Pressley scored the third goal in Hearts' 3-1 win over Stirling Albion on Saturday, although he again had to be named as a trialist. Robert Dunn had given the Second Division outfit the lead but goals from Saulius Mikoliunas, Hjalmer Thorarinsson and Pressley secured the win for the SPL side.

A Hearts XI were held to a 0-0 draw with Berwick yesterday.

Meanwhile, a star-studded Manchester United side eased to a 5-1 victory over Clyde at Broadwood on Saturday.

Goals from Kleberson, Paul Scholes, Liam Miller and a double from Ruud van Nistelrooy stamped the Premiership side's authority on the match, although Neil McGregor hit a consolation for the Bully Wee.

United and Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher is hoping the Old Trafford outfit can take that scoring form into the Premiership this season. He said: "Last season we were just not good enough. We will be like a wounded animal and will come back stronger. We have a point to prove this time."

Hibs split their resources on Saturday, Tony Mowbray taking a side to face Ayr United at Somerset Park and his assistant Mark Venus heading to Dumfries to face Queen of the South, but neither journey yielded a win.

Mowbray's side opened the scoring through a Garry O'Connor header in Ayrshire, only for Paul Hyslop to level matters, and the home side went on to win a penalty shoot-out 4-2.

There was to be no win for Venus either as his men failed to break down the home defence in the 0-0 draw at Palmerston.

Dundee United managed to hold off an attempted comeback by Bamber Bridge, running out eventual 4-2 winners.

The Tannadice side led 2-0 at half-time, thanks to strikes from Barry Robson and Jim McIntyre, but the home team levelled matters through Greg Bicknell and James Campbell.

Late strikes from Lee Miller and young David Robertson kept the Tangerines' ahead.

Richie Hart hit the only goal of the game in Inverness Caledonian Thistle's 1-0 win over Colin Hendry's Blackpool.

First Division St Johnstone ran out 2-0 winners over Highland League side Inverurie Locos, new signings Simon Mensing and Steven Milne both on the scoresheet.

St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson is hoping to sign former Partick Thistle striker Armand One today after he impressed in their 2-1 win over Stenhousemuir.

Simon Lappin and Stewart Kean scored for Saints before Jim Mercer pulled a goal back.

Partick Thistle lost 4-0 to Brechin City and a Leigh Hinds double helped Stranraer to a 3-1 victory over Gretna.

Derek Lilley took less than a minute to open the scoring for Second Division Greenock Morton in their 3-1 win over Altrincham. Peter Weatherson and Jason Walker were also on the scoresheet for Morton, who had Ryan Harding sent off.

Morton keeper Stefan Gonet twice denied Altrincham from the penalty spot.

Forfar, who drew 1-1 with Montrose, yesterday signed former Dundee youth striker Jon Voight on a one-year deal. A Willie Martin penalty opened the scoring for Montrose before Paul Shields equalised.

East Fife comfortably beat East of Scotland League side Gala Fairydean 4-0.

Taken from the Scotsman