Pressley: Hearts earned their win

Hearts captain Steven Pressley has dismissed talk of conspiracy theories after defeating Celtic 3-0 in the SPL on Sunday.

There had been suggestions before the game that champions Celtic would field a weakened side because they did not want to aid Rangers' chances of joining them in the Champions League next season.

But Pressley rubbished those claims.

"Anyone who witnessed today's game certainly couldn't make any accusations against Celtic about lack of effort," he told Setanta Sports.

"I thought it was a first-class game of football, with plenty of blood and thunder. It was a fantastic advertisement for the Scottish game.

"It was a tremendous game of football and one that I thought we deserved to win in the end."

Paul Hartley admitted the win was crucial, following Rangers' victory over Kilmarnock on Saturday.

"It was a massive game for us," he said. "With Rangers closing the gap to one point, we knew it was important to win today's game.

"I thought we were different class, the team performance was magnificent and I'm very pleased."

Hartley has been the subject of speculation over his future at Hearts over the last year or so but he added: "I don't want to leave.

"It's important we win on Wednesday. Everybody wants to play in the Champions League and we all want success here.

"We're already in a cup final and the next stage for us to play in the Champions League so hopefully we can do that."

Speaking of the victory, Hearts interim manager Valdas Ivanauskas told Setanta Sports: "Today it was the two best teams in Scotland and it was very important that we started well.

"We got the early goals but we had to concentrate for the full 90 minutes and I'm happy with the performance and the discipline."

Asked for his impressions of the game, Celtic manager Gordon Strachan told Setanta Sports: "I'm doing impressions of a very disappointed man at the moment.

"On the day, the better team won. We had chances but we didn't take them.

"I think it's simplifying it to say that Hearts wanted it more. Our players wanted to win but the free-kicks made the difference here today."

He added: "I can assure the Celtic fans that we'll come big next year bigger, stronger, fitter and a more experienced side, that's for sure."