PRESSLEY BACKS IVANAUSKAS

By Lisa Gray, PA Sport

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Steven Pressley believes Valdas Ivanauskas has shown he has what it takes to be Hearts manager next season.

Ivanauskas became the club's third manager of the season when he was installed as interim boss following the departure of both George Burley and Graham Rix.

In a campaign filled with turmoil behind the scenes, skipper Pressley has also had to learn a thing or two about leadership.

And he believes he has seen in Ivanauskas the qualities which could land him the job on a permanent basis for next season.

He said: "I think he has done himself a lot of favours with the performances of the team and I'm sure he will be in consideration for the job come the end of the season.

"Valdas has been very good. He has been in the background for some time now and he is very well respected.

"He's a good coach. One thing I've always believed about good managers and good coaches is they have a good relationship with the players but there is a line you never cross.

"Valdas seems to have that and that's important in a coach."

Despite events behind the scenes, Hearts remain in second place in the Bank of Scotland Premier League heading into the last three games of the season.

Champions League football is up for grabs for the runners-up and Hearts are confident of beating Rangers to that prize.

But Pressley believes their success has largely been down to team spirit in the dressing room which has seen them through so many difficult times this term.

He said: "As a group of players, and as a dressing room, throughout the season we have shown our unity and spirit and that will go on.

"We have two-and-a-half weeks left of what has been a very enduring season and we could make this season one of the most memorable in the club's history by achieving Champions League football and the possibility of winning the Scottish Cup.

"Those goals should be an inspiration to us all."

And, with a crucial SPL clash with champions Celtic to look forward to this weekend, Pressley insists everyone at Hearts is relishing the challenges which face them over the next few weeks.

He said: "There is pressure but it's a good pressure in terms of gaining success.

"We only have to look at the pressure Livingston and Dunfermline had to deal with at the weekend. Not only was their own livelihood at stake but also those of the employees at their clubs and that is a big burden to carry.

"The pressure we are under is pressure we should enjoy.

"We have to win the last three games and I believe we have the players capable of doing that."

Taken from sportinglife.com