PRESSLEY HOSTS HOMECOMING PARTY FOR TROPHY

HEARTS captain Steven Pressley admitted winning the Scottish Cup meant so much to him that he took the trophy home.

Pressley lifted the trophy last Saturday after the penalty shoot-out win over Gretna and Jambos fans later partied in the streets of Edinburgh to celebrate the club's triumph.

And after waiting 13 years for his second cup triumph following his 1993 success with Rangers, the 32-year-old refused to let the silverware leave his grasp.

Pressley said: "It came home with me. I wanted to have a nice little party in the house.

"It's been a long time in coming and I don't intend to give it up.

"It was a very memorable moment for me. Being captain of a football club and lifting the Cup, there are not many moments that top that in your professional career.

"Credit to all the players, we have endured a lot this season and we have shown remarkable character.

"It's a very proud moment for me."

Pressley will now visit his dentist after losing a tooth during the Final. But the former Rangers and Dundee United defender thanked the fans for their reception on Sunday.

Pressley said: "Lifting the trophy was an unbelievable moment for me.

"But the scenes as we left the city chambers and drove along Princes Street and up through Gorgie Road were remarkable.

They will live with me for a very long time."

Meanwhile, Gretna owner Brooks Mileson has thanked Hearts fans for the ovation they gave his side after the Final.

Mileson and team boss Rowan Alexander credited the Tynecastle supporters through a newspaper advert.

It read: "On behalf of Gretna Football Club, Brooks and Rowan would like to sincerely thank the magnificent supporters of Hearts for the incredible ovation they gave our team after the Cup Final.

"Jambos are proper fans and proper people.

"We had always intended on going to the Hearts supporters at the end of the game because I wanted to thank them for the backing we received.

"I spoke to quite a few when we went around the pitch at the end but obviously I couldn't speak to everyone personally.

"I thought that taking out an advert was the best way of thanking them."

Taken from the Daily Record