Pressley pleading for stability

Owner Vladimir Romanov, who sacked two managers last season, expected his side to qualify for the group stages.

But Pressley said: "I talked numerous times last season about the need for stability at this football club.

"Our chances of qualifying are now very slim, but we have to avoid a knee-jerk reaction to a huge disappointment."

However, Pressley admitted that Sunday's Scottish Premier League visit to Motherwell now took on added significance.

I can only apologise to the people who came to watch us as we feel we have let them down

Steven Pressley

"Make no mistake, it has become a huge game for us now," he told BBC Sport.

"After our second-leg display in Athens in the Champions League qualifier, there was a belief that we could do something against Sparta.

"We didn't get the momentum going at all and I can only apologise to the people who came to watch us as we feel we have let them down.

"After last season, the expectation levels have increased.

"The Old Firm have lived with that pressure for years and we have to prove that this football club can live with that too.

"We have some big characters in the dressing-room who have to make sure that we get our season back on track."

Meanwhile Ivanauskas has admitted he spoke to Romanov in the wake of the demoralising defeat by Sparta, but insists his future was not discussed.

He said: "Yes, I spoke to Mr Romanov after the game and he is upset like everyone else.

"But my future was not discussed. We just discussed the game.

"Every manager in football depends on results and they have not been the best recently but if you want to find out about my future you have to ask Mr Romanov."

Taken from the BBC