HEARTS skipper Steven Pressley should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his role at Tynecastle, says former Jambos star Antti Niemi.

Niemi, now at Fulham, has followed Hearts' tumultuous season closely and he believes the statesmanship shown by Pressley has helped the club remain on track for a crack at the Champions League and a Scottish Cup triumph.

Niemi said: "Off the pitch it's been a bit crazy with so many managerial changes and so much controversy from the owner but on the pitch they have done fantastically well.

"I hope people can see the many positives they've experienced as Hearts are looking good to finish as runners-up in the SPL. They also look strong favourites to win the cup final against Gretna next month.

"Despite all the incidents that have occurred, the team has done exceptionally well.

"My nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize this year has to go to Steven Pressley!

"As club captain he's had to deal with so many incidents this season, and explain the situation to the media, yet I think he's handled it all brilliantly.

"He's been the players' voice all year long and I think he's done a marvellous job at it.

"Sometimes I wonder how he could have stayed so calm but he has and fair play to him for doing it.

"After Steven Pressley finishes playing football I can definitely see him forging himself a successful career in politics."

Niemi's top priority is returning to full fitness and helping Fulham secure their Premiership status.

He said: "The defeat to Portsmouth last weekend was pretty disappointing. We didn't perform on the day and Pompey made us pay for that with an excellent display.

"It made me wonder how high the standard of the Premiership must be these days when a side of Portsmouth's quality are second from bottom.

"I hope we can put things right with a win at Sunderland on Saturday.

"I'm hopeful of winning a recall because training has gone well for me this week and I am feeling very good.

"The sharpness is returning and I feel ready to make a comeback if the manager needs me.

"If we win at Sunderland we should be safe, but even if we don't I am still extremely confident we don't have anything to worry about as far as relegation is concerned.

"If our big players turn in some performances like we know they can do, we will be fine."

Taken from the Daily Record