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STEVEN PRESSLEY led Hearts to the promised land of the Champions League last night - then set his sights on ripping the SPL title from Celtic's grasp next term.

The jubilant Jambos beat Aberdeen 1-0 thanks to a Paul Hartley penalty to secure second place ahead of Rangers.

And while their 17,000 fans celebrated wildly the man who has captained Hearts through thick and thin was already looking ahead to building on their success.

Pressley, in his eighth year at Tynecastle, could barely contain his joy.

And he reckons playing in the Champions League will entice more quality players to Hearts, enabling them to make a full-frontal assault on the Scottish championship.

Happy Pressley said: "It's important to keep this team together and I'm sure there will be additions in the summer. We haven't won the league. We've achieved Champions League football and our intention is to win the league.

"We have to prove next season that we can sustain a challenge to the Old Firm. It's a big ask but we can do it.

"The proof of a great team is the one that can do it season after season.

"There will be serious investment in the club this summer and we will attract some top players. Dangling the carrot of the Champions League will be very significant.

"Rangers and Celtic have the advantage of big crowds and big reputations in terms of attracting players.

"But now we can dangle the Champions League to people and that's very important for the progress of this club."

Pressley revealed he told former boss George Burley, who led the team to eight straight wins at the start of the season, that Hearts could win the league this term.

That didn't happen but the Scotland star is still delighted with they way the season has panned out. He is also pleased his team don't have to go to Ibrox for a winner takes-all tussle on Sunday.

Presley said: "I remember George's first meeting with the squad and he asked us where we thought we could finish in the league. I made the statement that we could finish first. I believe if you don't aim high you don't get high.

"He installed that belief straight away with us and we managed to carry that on.

"I'm delighted for George and for Graham Rix and now Valdas Ivanauskas. I'm especially delighted for John McGlynn. He's played a significant part in the success of this club and shouldn't be overlooked.

"You need to look at the stats - the Old Firmhaven't been split for 12 years and that shows the size of the task. For us to achieve that is incredible.

"When Mr Romanov came to the club many people were sceptical. But the proof is here tonight.

"It's been a fantastic night, a very nervy night. We really had to show our mettle because Aberdeen made life very difficult. But we showed great character and belief.

"We are delighted because there has been noises coming from elsewhere and we had to show our true mettle. I don't think anyone was disrespectful but I think they were playing games.

"That's part and parcel of football and we had to show we had the bottle to carry the job through. We answered them all tonight.

"We've come a long way in nine months and should be proud of that. This group of players have had to endure a lot this season but it was there for everybody to see - the spirit in the camp is great.

"It's not just the 11 who played tonight, it's all the players have contributed.

"I said at the weekend that many people felt this was our biggest opportunity to win the league but I don't believe that.

"I believe this is the start of something really special."

Pressley also backed Ivanauskas to be handed the manager's job long-term. He said: "The players are 100 per cent behind Valdas. He came in in very difficult circumstances and he's handled it extremely well. We have a great respect for him.

"We knew we had a second crack on Sunday but wanted to get the job done tonight. Now I can wear my white boots at Ibrox!"

Dons boss Jimmy Calderwood was happy to let Hearts bask in their glory but felt that if his team had performed as well as they did earlier in the season they could have been celebrating too.

He said: "Hearts are in the Champions League and we are fifth but in the first half you'd have been hard pressed to know who was where.

"They weren't causing us too many problems and if we had put in performances like that when we went to places like Livingston and Dunfermline we might have been up there as well."

But this was all about Hearts. It was a cloudless Edinburgh evening but at about 9.45pm last night it started raining scarves.

Maroon and white scarves floating down from four stands which overlooked a strip of grass on which thousands of dreams had just come true. A group of players dressed in white T-shirts with the word Believe emblazoned across the back bent to pick them up.

You'd better Believe - Hearts are in the Champions League and boy how do those players deserve it.

Taken from the Daily Record