I FEARED THIS WOULD HAPPEN

CAPTAIN Steven Pressley last night admitted the Hearts players knew Graham Rix was living on borrowed time at Tynecastle.

It was a feeling fuelled by the fact they had witnessed three managers in less than a year being axed.

Despite his fears Pressley had hoped to keep Rix's job on a life-support machine by lifting the Scottish Cup and qualifying for the Champions League.

But he wasn't afforded that chance and at the entrance to the training ground the defender, who doubles up as the spokesman now regularly pressed into service whenever fresh crisis erupts at the club, had to offer his opinion on yet another bombshell.

Pressley said: "This feels like deja vu. I stood here four months ago and said it was crucial the club found stability after George Burley's departure.

"Now I'm back again as Hearts look for their fifth manager in 18 months.

"I can't say I'm surprised over the changes that have been made.

"I had a gut feeling it might happen but not as soon as it has been done.

"The general feeling was the manager was under pressure but the players thought they could save him until the end of the season at least b ecause of our progress on two fronts.

"I've been feeling ill for the last three weeks. Now I'm beginning to think it's stress related."

It was fitting Pressley spoke beside the revolving door that leads players in and out of their training facility at Riccarton.

After all what else would be appropriate given the frenetic comings and goings of managers in Gorgie?

The SFA didn't even get the chance to decide if Rix was a fit and proper person to be manager of Hearts.

Four months and 19 games after the Englishman replaced Burley, soon-to-be Hearts president Vladimir Romanov took that decision for them.

Now the casualty toll for the season so far reads two managers, Rix and Burley, a chief executive, Phil Anderton, a chairman, George Foulkes and a director of football, Jim Duffy.

The savagery of the decision-making process at the club explains why the Lithuanian will shortly hold the first presidential election at which no votes will be cast - because there's no need for anybody else's opinion at Tynecastle.

But Pressley, publicly at least, reckons Romanov has been good for the club.

He said: "Mr Romanov has brought alot of positives to Hearts.

"Interest in the club has soared, more money has come into Tynecastle and good players have been signed.

"We are currently sitting in between Celtic and Rangers in the league table for the first time in many years. We desperately hope the next manager can bring the missing ingredient, stability."

Valdas Ivanauskas, the next man to have his name written in chalk on the manager's door at Hearts, is an interim appointment but a man who's made a lasting impression on the dressing room.

Pressley said: "He's a man the players trust and he was fantastic on the training ground today after we were told about the latest change.

"I am bitterly disappointed that Graham's had to go because he was a very popular figure. But Mr Romanov wasn't happy with results."

At least he lasted longer than Burley, who was axed after nine league wins and a draw as well as a CIS Cup defeat to Livingston.

Maybe the next manager will break the 20-game barrier.

In the meantime, Pressley tried to assess the damage, if any, caused to Hearts' Cup and Champions League prospects by the latest developments. He said: "Only time will tell if our ambition on both fronts has been jeopardised by the changes at the top.

"But if the team does come through this latest upheaval and win the Cup while qualifying for a crack at the Champions League it'll show the depth of character we have here.

"I think we've already shown we have the right mental toughness because we are second in the league and in the Scottish Cup semi-finals - despite of all that's happened.

"I'm positive what's happened won't alter our commitment.

"We had a good relationship with Graham and Jim Duffy and it's sad to say goodbye to them. I felt Jim would go with the gaffer because he's a man of principle. He came as part of the Rix regime and he'll leave with him.

"But four months ago I stood in the same spot and said it was our responsibility to get results. Nothing's changed. I'm still in a positive frame of mind. Continuity is vital and the players had a constructivemeeting with the chairman, Roman Romanov. We've shown great togetherness and I still think the next man to take on the job is getting a fantastic opportunity."

Pressley confirmed he would not be a contender for the job under any circumstances as maybe he's been too close to the problem of having no control over your own destiny.

While he spoke, bemused players came and went. As defender Takis Fyssas made his way inside, he said: "I know nothing about this."

When the player re-emerged a few minutes later he said: "I have only come in for my pills."

Fyssas wasn't the only one to take his medicine in that part of Edinburgh yesterday. Meanwhile the patient called Heart of Midlothian remains in acondition giving rise to concern.

Taken from the Daily Record