Pressley sees Hearts ending trophy drought

EDINBURGH, May 11 (Reuters) - Hearts captain Steven Pressley expects to lift a trophy at last when they face third-division Gretna in Saturday's Scottish Cup final.

"Eight years ago...I came to the club because I genuinely felt it was a place where I had a chance of winning silverware," Pressley said on Thursday.

"It would mean a great deal to me (to win the Cup).

"But, as yet, I have not had the opportunity and from a personal point of view this is my first real opportunity," Pressley told reporters.

"As a team we have worked remarkably hard this season to get ourselves into the position we are in and we intend to carry the job through."

Hearts finished second in the Premier League to clinch a berth in the Champions League second qualifying round.

The 32-year-old said that with recent injuries he has spent some time in the treatment room along with Neil McCann, who won the Scottish Cup with Hearts in 1998 before moving to Rangers and collecting more trophies.

"He was quick to mention that from all the silverware he's won, the one that gave him the most satisfaction was winning the Cup with Hearts. He said it was a tremendous day and a tremendous occasion," Pressley said.

"And Neil says it is something that will live with him for the rest of his life.

"At the age of 23 I had the opportunity at Dundee United (to get to a final) when we were in a semi-final against Kilmarnock.

"After a replay we got turned over and Kilmarnock went on to win the Cup that year (1997) and at that sort of age you always think that finals come along on a regular basis but they don't for many players.

"I have had to wait a long time and I have impressed that to the rest of the team."

Pressley said the Cup final can now be the platform for Hearts to become a force in Scottish and European football.

"I know we were only second in the league, but it was a huge step forward for this club and the first opportunity to play in the top European cup for 40 years.

"It has been eight years since we last won the (Scottish) cup and prior to that it was 42 years so for a football club of this standing I don't believe that it is good enough.