FLOGEL PAYS TRIBUTE TO PRESSLEY

By Chris Roberts, PA Sport

Former Hearts midfielder Thomas Flogel insists the Jambos owe a huge debt of gratitude to the steadying influence of club captain Steven Pressley for their current success.

The Austria international, who helped the Edinburgh club to Tennent's Scottish Cup glory over Rangers at Celtic Park in 1998, still speaks to his former team-mate, who has had an eventful campaign.

The Scotland international has been a rock for the team during a season of turmoil at Tynecastle.

Hearts majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov has already seen two managers leave the club this year in the shape of George Burley and Graham Rix.

But Flogel believes, without the 32-year-old skipper, Hearts would not have qualified for the Champions League qualifying stages or be lining up another Scottish Cup success this weekend.

He told PA Sport: "I still have friends there and I keep in touch with Elvis.

"He told me he has had a busy time and his role has changed at the club because of what's happened there.

"He had a lot of work to do to keep the players and the coaching staff together, but it will all be worthwhile.

"He gets in at seven or eight in the morning and is one of the last to leave.

"As captain, his role has been hectic, but he always wants the best for club and is Hearts through and through.

"Everybody has been coming to Elvis and he has kept everybody going there.

"This would be a fantastic end to the season for him. All the club's success this season would not have been possible but for him."

Flogel insists the Scottish Cup success over Rangers eight years ago was the pinnacle of his career.

But he warns favourites Hearts their glory that day - as underdogs - proves Bell's Second Division champions Gretna could cause an upset at Hampden Park on Saturday.

Flogel said: "Those were my best memories in Scotland. That was also the best win I ever had in my career.

"I have won the championship a few times in Austria, but that was something special after the club had gone almost 40 years without winning anything.

"We couldn't beat them in the season but we beat them in the one that really mattered - the cup final.

"But Gretna will have a chance as underdogs. When you come to a cup final, it is a 50-50 chance for both clubs.

"Nobody expected us to defeat Rangers and everybody was saying we would have no chance but we beat them.

"I hope it is another great day for Hearts and I'm sure it will be, but don't write off Gretna."

The Admira Wacker captain will hang up his boots against Salzburg this weekend.

Flogel added: "I have my last game against Salzburg and it's going to be really hard.

"I will be 35 in June and I want to do different things. I hope this weekend is special all-round though.

"This could be a very emotional weekend for me and I will look for the Hearts score as soon as I can."

Taken from sportinglife.com