ELVIS STOPPED ME FROM QUITTING OVER LINESMAN ROW

HEARTS star Saulius Mikoliunas has revealed how Scotland stalwart Steven Pressley stopped him quitting the SPL after a five-game ban that almost wrecked his Tynecastle career.

The young Lithuanian's infamous bust-up with linesman Andy Davis saw him red-carded three times in one match against Rangers in March last year.

Mikoliunas' crazy antics earned him a whopping eight-game suspension before it was eventually reduced by three after an appeal.

The uproar surrounding the incident and the torrid spell on the sidelines badly affected the 22-year-old who was ready to leave Scotland and return to his homeland.

Then his captain stepped in. Big Elvis put his arm around Miko, lifted his spirits and cajoled him through the lowest point in his career.

It's something Mikoliunas will never forget and he'll be reminded of Pressley's leadership qualities on Wednesday night when Scotland travel to Kaunas for their Euro 2008 qualifier.

Saulius, who is delighted he stayed at Tynecastle, said: "Elvis is important to me and so popular in the dressing room. He's a star player but also a great man.

"Whenever a new player arrives he takes care of him. When I came to Hearts he took me aside and told me if I ever had a problem I could go to him for help.

"That was good to hear and I've taken him up on it. There were some problems with my contract about money and bonuses but he sorted things.

"When Iwas banned the whole team helped me through it but especially Elvis.

"I was down and emotional but he helped me get through it. He told me to forget it and only look to the future.

"I will always remember how Steven supported me. He was just fantastic especially when I was suspended.

"I thought about leaving and suddenly felt I wasn't good enough to play for Hearts and should return to Lithuania.

"It was such a difficult spell not playing for the first team. "But Elvis liftedmy spirits and made me want to stay.

"When we beat Aberdeen to get second place in the SPL last year then won the Scottish Cup I realised I'd made the right decision to stay at Tynecastle."

Despite his love for the country Mikoliunas is relishing the prospect of wrecking Scotland's Euro 2008 hopes on Wednesday night.

He believes the Scots are greatly improved since Walter Smith took over and fears Lithuania may lack the experience to get the win they crave in Kaunas.

Miko said: "This game is special because we want to show the Scottish people Lithuanians can play good football.

"We have to believe we can beat Scotland - even if I'm unpopular when I go back to Tynecastle. I know just how good a team they have so it won't be easy for us.

"Since I arrived at Hearts the Scottish national team has improved a lot. In the last World Cup qualifying campaign you didn't start well but got better and came close to beating Italy.

"Only a few mistakes cost you but you also defeated Norway and Slovenia.

"It would be a massive result to beat Scotland and everyone back home would be so happy.

"But we've a lot of new players in a young squad so maybe we don't have enough experience. We'll have to see."

Miko is loving life again at Tynecastle under Valdas Ivanauskas and has no plans to leave Gorgie in the near future.

But he admits if his progress continues he'd eventually like to play in England or Spain.

He said: "This is a great place for me to learn.

"For the moment I'm happy to stay and improve but I have dreams of playing in the Premiership or Spain.

"Under George Burley I played the first five games but got tired and wasn't doing well so he put me on the bench.

"Thankfully I was given another chance."

Taken from the Sunday Mail