LOSING THE GAFFER IS ANOTHER REASON WE OWE OUR FANS THE TITLE
SAYS STEVEN PRESSLEY
By Gary Ralston
STEVEN PRESSLEY wants to deliver the SPL title for the Hearts fans who have been put through more emotional turmoil.
Jubilant Jambos woke on Saturday morning to news Vladimir Romanov wanted to buy their shares in return for Champions League glory.
By lunchtime, they were in the pits of depression after the manager who had led them to the top of the SPL was told his services were no longer needed.
Pressley revealed the players hope to arrange a meeting with George Burley soon because they didn't get the chance to say goodbye on Saturday morning.
By then, Burley had already left the club and Scotland star Elvis has played down suggestions that other big name players could follow him out the door in disgust.
His main concern is for the fans whose emotions have been publicly rung,spun and re-cycled with the club's dirty linen in recent seasons.
Hearts are three points clear at the top of the SPL and the skipper insists the players will not let the standards they have set so far this season slip because Burley is no longer their boss.
In fact, he is determined to do all he can to ensure they maintain the charge towards their first championship in 46 year as the ultimate thank you to the fans.
Pressley said: "The supporters have had to endure this on a regular basis, season after season,and I hopethegreat time we've given them so far this season will continue"They have gone through a lot in the last five or six yearsandasplayers it's our duty to repay them for their continued loyalty.
"It has been a difficult few days but the one thing that must spur us on is the opportunity to go on in the weeks ahead and extend our lead in the SPL.
"We're in a good position at the top of the table that even I've never found myself in during my eight years at the club.
"We've got to win the championship for ourselves as a group of players, as well as our supporters.
"Our fans have been experiencing highs this season they haven't felt for a long time and there has been a great atmosphere around the club.
"We were devastated to lose the boss because he was held in such high regard but there is so much still to play for and we have a duty to the club and the fans to continue to achieve results.
"George was a very popular man with the players and a really good manager. He has brought in players, shaped the team and we must continue to perform to the levels he demanded.
"I've no doubt a new manager will come in with fresh ideas but we have proved we're capable of getting results on a consistent basis and the challenge is to keep doing it."
Romanov broke the news to players in person at their pre-match base at Dalmahoy on Saturday morning that Burley was no longer boss.
The players were stunned and upset, but appreciated at least that Romanov delivered the news himself rather than letting the squad hear it second hand. Players such as Paul Hartley and RudiSkacel later showed their support for Burley by wearing t-shirts in the 2-0 win over Dunfermline with the slogan: "For the Gaffer."
But Pressley insists it was no show of dissent against the club's majority shareholder and was more a public display of their depth of fondness for Burley.
Pressley said: "People must understand Saturday was a very emotional day and Paul and Rudi decided to show their appreciation to a manager who has done a lot for them in a short period of time.
"It was a nice touch and showed the impact the manager made at the club."
Pressley refuted suggestions that top stars such as Hartley, Skacel, Craig Gordon and Andy Webster could now seek an escape route from Tynecastle.
However, he has urged Romanov to make the best appointment possible and show faith in his new man in the long term for the sake of the club's future stability.
Pressley said: "As long as we keep winning and maintaining the standards we've set and have the prospect of playing in Europe, then this remains an attractive place to play football.
"Ultimately, as with any football club, players move on and new heroes will be found.
"However, I hope we keep the great players we have at the club because they are tremendous professionals and contribute so much to a fantastic dressing room.
"I hope these developments don't affect anyone's way of thinking and I don't think they will because there is an appetite for success at the club. I don't think there will be any knee-jerk reactions.
"However, one of the most important aspects of any football club is stability and the sooner we get it back the better.
"It's never nice to lose your manager. We're now on to our fourth in a year and none of them has left solely because of a lack of success.
"It has been slightly unsettling but let's hope the new manager is in for the long haul.
"If Mr Romanov is to appoint a new manager it will be in the trust that he's the man to take the club forward, working with him, and hopefully to the benefit of the club."
Burley is believed to have returned to England after the board meeting on Friday afternoon when he was told his services were no longer required.
However, Pressley hopes they can meet again soon so they can say a proper goodbye.
He added: "I haven't spoken to George yet. I spoke to coach Simon Hunt on Saturday morning and told him we'd like to say our goodbyes and hopefully we'll get the opportunity to do that soon
Taken from the Daily Record
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