LESSON LEARNED

STEVEN PRESSLEY went back to school yesterday and recalled how a football lesson helped resurrect his Scotland career.

The Hearts skipper turned up at the campus of St David's and Pirniehall in the Granton district of Edinburgh to launch his club's new community and education programme.

The school is bright and buzzing in a tough area of the capital usually associated with the work of author Irvine Welsh.

But it was a match report that could have been penned by Stephen King that came to mind as Elvis previewed Scotland's forthcoming European Championship qualifiers.

Walter Smith's side kick off their campaign against the Faroe Islands at Parkhead on Saturday, almost four years to the day that the competitive reign of Berti Vogts started as it would continue - in horror and embarrassment.

Elvis watched from his living room but it was hardly comfortable as the Scots, floundering at two goals down at half-time, eventually snatched a 2-2 draw in the Toftir Stadium.

Pressley's cap career was struggling to take off back then as he had played just twice for Craig Brown, two years earlier, for a total of 46 minutes in friendlies against France and Ireland.

But that depressing result in the Faroes and the subsequent resignation in disgust of Davie Weir after he was singled out for criticism by Vogts opened the door again for Pressley.

His career has now yielded 28 caps, with the promise of more as Smith's side take the first steps on a road that will hopefully lead to the finals in Switzerland and Austria in 2008.

Pressley said: "I've never played against the Faroes before because Berti had just come in as manager a few months earlier last time out and I wasn't initially involved.

"I made my Scotland debut under Craig and had been involved in numerous squads without being given the chance to start a game.

"I missed the opportunity to be involved in Berti's first squads for the friendlies against Nigeria and France because I was carrying a back injury.

"However, it was on the back of the result in the Faroes that I found myself involved the following month in our qualifier against Iceland in Reykjavik.

"I was hoping to be part of the squad anyway, regardless of the result in the Faroes but obviously Davie decided not to continue with the national set-up so it gave me an opportunity to go straight into the team.

"I watched the 2-2 draw at home on television and those types of game are never easy. If you come up against a fit and well-organised side they can be tough to break down, especially in the conditions the team had to play in that afternoon.

"The greatest players are always those who sit on the sidelines judging but it's never as easy as you think. I've also experienced the difficulty that comes with trying to break down well organised sides and it can be tough.

"The Faroes will try to frustrate us again come Saturday and contain us if possible, so the onus is on us to get in about them. We have to prove we're capable of doing it but we definitely have the players capable of scoring. If we provide them with opportunities, I'm sure we'll win the game.

"I suppose there is cause to be wary after that last time but Scotland fans will turn up expecting us to beat the Faroes and we have to do so.

"Nothing other than a win will be acceptable and the pressure to secure it is something with which we must live.

"Pressure comes with success and under Walter's reign so far the team has moved on and people are positive again about the national team. An element of expectation comes with that and it's something we need to deal with when we play for our country."

Hearts have joined up with Edinburgh Council, police and other agencies to encourage education, sport and healthy lifestyle choices for kids in the capital.

Their programme aims to motivate and inspire youngsters in the city's 95 primary schools to lead a more active and positive life - with the help of Hearts.

Pressley spoke passionately at the launch yesterday of the need to engage kids of all ages and skill levels to be the best they can and it's a similar positive message he carries into the forthcoming double header.

Of course, no one needs remind him that after the Faroes comes a trip to Lithuania and a game that is not so much an international fixture, more a Jambos get-together.

But the Scots were given some good cheer yesterday with the news Hearts striker Edgaras Jankauskas will miss the game with a torn thigh muscle.

It's a boost for the Tartan Army but bad news for the Jambos as he has also been ruled out of the forthcoming UEFA Cup ties against Sparta Prague.

Pressley added: "Edgaras is a key player for Lithuania and will be a big miss at club level as well.

"I'd loved to have faced him over there next Wednesday because one of the most important things about the game is winning bragging rights for the dressing room at Tynecastle.

"Yes, the wind-ups had started even before the lads headed off to join up with the Lithuania squad. I'd love those bragging rights but the three points are more important."

Taken from the Daily Record