Hampden glory would vindicate Romanov, says skipper

IN THE way that past grievances are often swept away by emotional moments - the peal of the new year bells, a wedding - Vladimir Romanov's previous eccentricities will be buried under a mound of joy in the event of victory for Hearts in this afternoon's Tennent's Scottish Cup final.

According to Steven Pressley, success will be so significant for the Tynecastle club that it will represent complete vindication of every action the Russian-born owner has taken through this tumultuous season.

During those periods when Romanov's behaviour has appeared impulsive, bizarre and potentially damaging, Pressley has been the rock on which dressing-room stability has been founded.

The captain's voice has been the first to be canvassed by those seekers of the truth from the media, and it has invariably been one free of hysteria, offering considered and rational thought that has instantly reduced to nothing the possibility of confrontation or players' insurrection.

Kipling's famous line - "If you can keep your head while all around are losing theirs" - might have been written with him in mind. Pressley, as he re-affirmed in conversation the other day, may have been almost as valuable to Hearts for his diplomatic skills as he has been on the field of play.

"I'm the first to admit that I haven't agreed with every decision Mr Romanov has made," said Pressley. "But one thing is for sure. His commitment to this club is beyond question. He has made a hell of an investment here and winning the cup, on top of reaching the Champions League, would vindicate him entirely.

"There have been a number of difficult days and we've had to cope with a lot this season. Actually, it's hard to pick out one that has been the most awkward, as they all tend to run into one another in your memory. But I think if we win the cup, all of that will be overlooked. It will be put behind us.

"In terms of creating interest in the game, Mr Romanov has been a breath of fresh air. Normally, you guys would be sitting here interviewing Old Firm players. The fact that it's us and Gretna is just terrific."

Pressley's tribute to the forbearance of his team-mates and the manner in which they have come through the turbulence may be a little self-effacing, rather diminishing a significant personal contribution to harmony and continuity. But his admiration for the rest of the squad is utterly genuine.

"I think anybody who saw the scenes on the field after we beat Aberdeen to clinch second place in the league will be well aware of the spirit in our team," he said. "Make no mistake, what we have done this season has been a real team effort.

"We've had some fantastic and inspirational individual performances, but, overall, it has been the efforts as a group that have brought us to this point. There has been no unrest among the players."

In the process, Pressley admits, he has learned more about himself and the need to meet the demands of a captain in trying circumstances. There seems little doubt that the year has forced him to confront problems that are rarely encountered by players. "I've certainly found out more about myself and about the captaincy this year," he said. "I think it's important that I try, year on year, to improve as a captain, and this season has certainly been a great help in that direction.

"Quite often, it's been a 24/7 kind of job, going home and spending the time thinking about things, pre-occupied by matters that wouldn't normally come your way. That's when it's absolutely essential to have a supportive family, which I am very lucky to have. My wife, June, and my mother, Norma, have both been of immense help to me."

Pressley, of course, enjoys another distinction at Tynecastle, in that he is one of very few in the Hearts squad with winners' medals in Scottish football. As a Rangers player, he won two league championships and one Scottish Cup. But, unsurprisingly, triumph with Hearts will be infinitely more satisfying than winning the trophy back in 1993.

"The final was against Aberdeen at Celtic Park that year," he recalled. "And I only came on as a sub for the last two or three minutes. I replaced Pieter Huistra, obviously to bring a little flair to our team!

"I was fortunate at a very young age to be part of a Rangers team that won regularly and to be able to lift the Scottish Cup so early in my career. But that's 13 years ago, and it's been a long, long wait.

"I was talking to Neil McCann about this the other day. Like me, he played for a Rangers team that won regularly. But he said that winning the cup with Hearts in 1998 was much more satisfying. I know it will be the same for me if it happens. This club is very special to me."


Taken from the Scotsman