Elvis all shook up by Jambos

BARRY ANDERSON

WHOEVER first uttered the immortal "goals win games" cliché must have been paid special attention by George Burley, a man who has imparted to his conglomerate of Europeans and smattering of Scots at Tynecastle an unerring willingness to bulge some nets.

Eleven goals have been lashed into the rigging at Rugby Park, Tynecastle and Tannadice in just three outings.

Goals do indeed win games. The victories bring points and what do points make? You know the rest. Short of doing a Bruce Forsyth impression in the dressing-room, Burley has clearly succeeded in having his players buy into his philosophy.

As the Aberdeen players head down the A90 tonight to prepare for their meeting with Hearts at Tynecastle, they too will have noted the total in their hosts' 'goals for' column. Barring the cop-out option of taking a sickie in the morning, stopping Roman Bednar, Rudi Skacal and the rest will make for an exhausting afternoon in the Capital.

Intending to watch from the Hearts back line while battle rages on up the other end is Steven Pressley. This time last year the captain was concerned at his team's lack of potency, now he simply sits back in awe.

"The one area we really have improved on this season is our goalscoring," says Pressley, "and if you excite the supporters like that then they will turn out in their numbers. That has been the case as everyone knows.

"We have made a very positive start. Look how long it took us last season to score 11 goals. I keep telling people it is only three games, but you do have to enjoy the good times in football because you feel that the bad times are always just around the corner."

Failure to overcome Aberdeen would not be viewed as the inception of a crisis at Tynecastle, but Hearts' ubiquitous exposure so far this term will have alerted everyone to their lofty intentions, not least the visiting manager. Jimmy Calderwood will field a side high on their own adrenalin after victory over Rangers last week and the ever-sensible Pressley wishes to air a note of caution to counter some of the razzmatazz surrounding Hearts.

"I was very impressed with Dundee United on Sunday and they made it extremely tough for us. We won 3-0 but that did not put a true reflection on the game because United put us under a lot of pressure. I think that shows teams want to be ready for us.

"Aberdeen have come on a lot under Jimmy Calderwood. They finished above us last year and have improved their squad again in the summer, so we should not be under the mistaken impression that tomorrow will be anything other than an awkward match.

"I'm well aware that Aberdeen played extremely well and merited their victory over Rangers. That tells us the problems they could pose for us.

"Jamie Smith is playing up front with Steve Lovell and both those players have an abundance of pace about them. Lovell has a good physical presence so that will test us out at the back but Andy Webster and I will relish it."

As well as their central roles at Tynecastle, which have underpinned much of Hearts' early- season excitement, Pressley and Webster have a propensity for patriotism as key defenders for their country.

They thrived upon the confident approach of Walter Smith in Graz on Wednesday night until Pressley's departure preceded Scotland's late capitulation in the 2-2 draw. As captain for the night, though, it was Elvis' responsibility to get everyone all shook up.

"At times in the game we played with great confidence," Pressley said. "In the last three games under Walter the commitment and the organisation and defensive aspects have improved greatly but the one thing which maybe hasn't been too great has been our retention of the ball. I felt that was much better against Austria."

Smith, now the national coach, once viewed Pressley as easily dispensable whilst manager of Rangers. He gave him a Champions League initiation against Marseille and then sold him for £600,000 to Coventry. These days you suspect he has a considerably higher opinion of the Elgin-born centre-back and the gradually-inflated respect is mutual.

"We are pleased overall when you look at how far we've come in the four games that Walter has been in charge," says Pressley. "It is very encouraging. It was two years ago that we last played Austria at home and we found ourselves losing 2-0, so there are plenty of positive aspects to take from the game.

"Walter is very thorough in his preparation. He has a great manner with the players and they are responding for him now. I think the result against Austria was a good result but the most pleasing aspect was the performance."

If he were to drop his guard and be selfish for a millisecond, the most pleasing aspect for Pressley would have been the acquiring of his 24th Scotland cap in Graz, one which puts him just six away from the record number of Scotland appearances for a Hearts player.

He said: "That is very pleasing. I hope I can break the record as long as my performances stay at the same level. There are plenty boys waiting for an opportunity and, unfortunately for myself, I will miss the Italy game next month, but it would be fantastic if I could accumulate enough caps to surpass a man like Bobby Walker [present record holder with 29].

"I had to wait a long time for the opportunity to play for my country. I was 28 when I got my first cap so maybe because of that I'm determined to make the most of it. I waited in the wings and watched boys who I played beside in the under-21s getting their opportunity long before me.

"At the moment, I am thoroughly enjoying it. There have been some difficult time since I have been involved but the national squad is a good place to be around just now."

Almost as good as being around the Hearts squad.

Taken from the Scotsman