Hearts mark Elvis record

HEARTS are to present club captain Steven Pressley with a commemorative award to mark his record-breaking 30th cap for Scotland in Lithuania tomorrow night.

The 32-year-old will surpass Tynecastle legend Bobby Walker's total of 29 caps, all attained as a Hearts player between 1900 and 1913, when he takes the field in the St Darius and St Girenas Stadium in Kaunas.

Pressley equalled Walker's record on Saturday at Celtic Park when he played in Scotland's 6-0 victory over the Faroe Islands, and the Hearts hierarchy are now looking to recognise his achievement with an official presentation when he returns from Lithuania.

"We definitely won't let this pass without acknowledging what is a tremendous achievement by Steven," said a club spokesperson. "All our fans know he gives 100 per cent every time he takes the field for Hearts but we are also hugely appreciative of his effort and commitment when playing in a Scotland jersey. We are certainly looking forward to welcoming him back to Tynecastle on Saturday." Pressley won his first cap for Scotland at the age of 26 when he replaced Paul Ritchie during a 2-0 friendly defeat by France at Hampden.

He has since become a mainstay of the national team and finds himself selected for his country whenever fit.

He has captained Scotland on one occasion, ironically at Easter Road when Trinidad & Tobago were dispatched 4-1 in a friendly in May 2004 during Berti Vogts' tenure.

"I was a late starter in terms of international football but I'm thoroughly enjoying my football and hopefully it will not be the end at 30 caps," said Pressley. "I think you appreciate it more if you're a late developer.

"I'd read a piece in the programme a number of months ago which said the record was 29, and I was only just one or two games away from it then. It's something I'm very proud of. There have been some fantastic players who have played for Hearts over the years, so to achieve that will be a great honour."

FORMER Hearts defender Andy Webster has completed his transfer to Wigan Athletic after FIFA granted him international clearance to begin playing in the Premiership.

Webster, 24, left Tynecastle of his own accord in July by invoking article 17 of FIFA's legislation, which allows a player under the age of 28 to leave a club after completing three years of a four-year contract.

He refused the £12,000-a-week contract on offer from Hearts but had to wait until FIFA cleared his move to Wigan, a delay that cost him his place in the Scotland side.

Hearts can expect to receive around £200,000 in compensation for Webster.

CRAIG LEVEIN was expected to be named Raith Rovers' new manager today on a non-contract basis, allowing him to leave Stark's Park immediately if given a suitable job offer from a more prestigious club.

Taken from the Scotsman