Pressley: This is just the start for Hearts

Hearts captain Steven Pressley believes greater things are ahead at Tynecastle after the Edinburgh club clinched a Champions League qualifying berth with a 1-0 victory over Aberdeen.

The Jambos secured second place in the Bank of Scotland Premier League courtesy of a 54th-minute Paul Hartley penalty after Dons defender Zander Diamond handled the ball in the box.

In a tension-filled night, former Hearts player Scott Severin was also sent off for an overly robust challenge on Bruno Aguiar late in the game.

Pressley said: "This is the start of something.

"People said this season was our greatest opportunity to win the league, but I didn't believe that.

"I believe this is just the beginning of something really special at Hearts.

"Make no mistake, there has been some serious investment at the club and there will be more to come.

"You just have to look at the statistics. The Old Firm have not been split for 12 years, so that shows the size of the task we had in front of us.

"When (Hearts majority shareholder) Vladimir Romanov came to the club, he made a few statements and I think people were sceptical, but the proof was here tonight.

"It was a fantastic night and we really had to show our mettle.

'We've come a long way in nine months and we should be proud of that'

"Aberdeen came with confidence and made life very difficult for us, but we showed great character and great belief and are all delighted.

"We've come a long way in nine months and we should be proud of that. This group of players have gone through a lot this season but the spirit was there for everyone to see and we are so proud."

Hearts interim head coach Valdas Ivanauskas insisted the glory should be shared among everyone associated with the Edinburgh club this season, including former boss George Burley and Graham Rix.

He said: "I am very, very happy - it is a big day for the club, the players and myself.

"I was happy on Sunday when we beat Celtic, but it has been a very hard nine months for the club and now we are all happy.

"But it is not only my work, it is the work of George Burley, Graham Rix and all the staff from the kit man to the bus driver.

"It is a victory for everybody. Now I can enjoy the next game against Rangers and then the next match after that will be the Scottish Cup final against Gretna."

But Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood believes his team deserved credit for their display before they went behind to Hartley's penalty.

He said: "Hearts are in the Champions League, but, in the first half, you wouldn't have known who was second and who was in fifth place, to be honest.

"I thought we played really well and I didn't think they were causing us any problems.

"A victory for Hearts didn't look inevitable at half time, no way. But our boys gave us everything although it wasn't to be.

"I thought Diamond was lucky only to get a yellow card at the penalty, but I'm not sure about Scott Severin's red card, the referee was nearer than me to the incident."