MAKE VALDAS THE BOSSVLAD

STEVEN PRESSLEY last night urged Vladimir Romanov to hand Valdas Ivanauskas the Hearts job on a permanent basis.

The Jambos skipper made his feelings clear on the day Preston boss Billy Davies was linked with the Tynecastle job.

As he led a day of celebrations 24 hours after lifting the Scottish Cup with a penalty shoot-out win over Gretna, Pressley admitted success could only be defined by a sustained challenge to the Old Firm.

He said: "We have to prove we're capable of matching the levels we've reached this season. We need to take a step further in the SPL and win it.

"We also want to retain the Scottish Cup. There is no point in having an impressive season and then failing to deliver the following season.

"I believe with Mr Romanov's investment and the quality of player we have we can do that.

"We need to have some stability now and I believe Valdas should be appointed manager.

"He's done a fantastic job and he'd be a very popular choice. He should also be given time to build this side and stability is the key word.We don't want to endure another season with continuous change in terms of the management.

"I think everyone looks back at the George Burley era and thinks if he had stayed at the helm we might have won the league. But life is full of ifs and buts."

The imminent departure of fans' favourite Rudi Skacel and the ongoing dispute between the club and Andy Webster cast a shadow over the Tynecastle party as the trophy was paraded and Pressley, who had afront tooth knocked out during Saturday's game, admitted both players will be hard to replace.

He said: "Rudi will be a big miss as he was a very popular lad and his contribution has been significant.

"He's a mad character and a bubbly lad but he's not away yet.

"I think Andy Webster is the best central defender this country's had in a long, long time and it will be sad to see him leave. It was very sad not to have him here as he's played 30-odd games this season but we understand his reasons."

Pressley was blown away by the turnout from the supporters yesterday.

He said: "When we boarded the bus at the City Chambers then went down Princes Street and along Gorgie Road towards Tynecastle the streets were lined with a couple of hundred thousand fans.

"I think that shows the potential of this club and we can challenge the Old Firm regularly as we've proved we can fill stadiums.

"But we have to operate the club in the right financial manner and that will mean increasing the size of the stadium.

"Roman Bednar was standing next to me and said it was the best day of his life.

"This is something which might not be experienced again in our careers but it speaks volumes about our club and our supporters. I was struggling with my emotions out on the park and was filling up a bit. It's been an emotional couple of days and I looked up at the crowd and noticed my mother with her hanky out and it was rather sad.

"Who would have thought she'd get the chance to see her little boy lifting the trophy?"

With a Scottish Cup in the bag and Champions League football next season, Elvis is proud of the players' resolve.

He said: "We've got remarkable spirit and if you ask any of our players they'll tell you it's the best dressing room they've been involved in. That has been a big factor in our success."

Pressley was also full of praise for Gretna.

He said: "I think we have to give Gretna enormous credit - they performed remarkably well.

"I thought we looked a tired and jaded team and it was not a typical Hearts performance.

"But the history books will show Heart of Midlothian won the Scottish Cup in 2006 and that was the main objective."

Taken from the Daily Record