PRESSLEY DREAMS OF GLAMOUR TRIPS

By Ronnie Esplin, PA Sport

Hearts captain Steven Pressley is hoping to pass through Siroki Brijeg's humble Pecara stadium on a journey to more famous Champions League arenas such as the San Siro and Bernabeu.

The Edinburgh side beat Siroki 3-0 at Murrayfield last Wednesday and are in Bosnia looking for the positive result that will take them through to face AEK Athens in the third qualifying round.

Along with the rest of the squad, Pressley put in a training session in the rather basic and compact ground which nestles high up in the hills, 22 kilometres south west of the nearest city of Mostar.

The Jambos skipper accepts trips to more glamorous destinations further on in the competition can only be achieved if they get past less famous clubs such as the Bosnians.

He said: "Three years ago, almost to the day, we were preparing to play Zeljeznicar in the UEFA Cup so that shows you how far we've come since then.

"It's every players dream to play at the highest level and in European club football, the Champions League is the highest level.

"In order for us to get the opportunity to play in those stadiums (San Siro, Bernabeu) we have to show that we are capable of beating the likes of the Bosnians.

"I've obviously experienced greater football arenas but the playing surface looks fine so I'm looking forward to the game.

"I don't fear for ourselves at all. I think we've got very good professionals within the squad.

"We've got great belief that we can finish the job over here."

Hearts head coach Valdas Ivanauskas, whose only gripe about the pitch was that the grass was too long, appeared to signal the end of Mirsad Beslija's time at Tynecastle despite including the Bosnian wide man in his squad.

Beslija, who signed last January for a fee believed to be in the region of £850,000 from Racing Genk, has only made three starts for the Tynecastle side and could be on his way back to Belgium.

Lokeren and Club Brugge are reported to be interested in the player and the Hearts boss seemed less than concerned by the prospect of losing the player.

Ivanauskas said: "He can stay if he wants but we need the Mirsad Beslija of old. I know him from years ago and he is a good player but he needs fitness.

"He has had small problems in pre-season with injuries and his fitness wasn't what I wanted after he came back from holiday.

"He had another small injury last week and that's no good for him.

"He is a good player but if he has ambition to play regularly, and good clubs come in for him then it will be good for him and good for everybody."

Taken from sportinglife.com