Former Hearts skipper Steven Pressley tips Jambos to repeat 2006 success

Apr 13 2012 by Scott McDermott

JOY and elation with Hearts and job satisfaction with Celtic – that was the stark contrast Steven Pressley experienced in celebrating a Scottish Cup win with each club.

In 2006, the Falkirk boss was part of a now legendary Jambos side who defeated Gretna on penalties to lift the old trophy. Cue wild celebrations and an open-top bus parade around the streets of Edinburgh.
Steven Pressley large

Just one year later, Pressley was back at Hampden in a Hoops shirt when Gordon Strachan's men scraped past Dunfermline with a late goal from Jean-Joel Perrier-Doumbe. Remember him?

For Pressley, the post-match celebrations weren't that memorable either. Instead of feeling ecstatic as he had 12 months previously, there was a sense of relief and 'job done'.

And ahead of Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final clash between the two clubs, he is adamant Hearts can shock the SPL champions and reach another final.

Pressley told Record Sport: "Winning the competition for Celtic is just like part of the job. It was expected of you as a player to win that trophy.

"So the after-match celebrations at Hampden when we beat Dunfermline, compared to winning the year before, were totally different.

"Winning the Cup with Hearts, a provincial club, was an enormous achievement. When you look at our celebrations, the parading of the trophy, the open-top bus in Princes Street and Gorgie Road – it was huge.

"Compare that to Celtic and it shows the different pressures at both the clubs. Hearts will go into Sunday's game carrying very little in terms of expectation. That all lies with Celtic.

"In 2007, we didn't play particularly well but we won the Cup. After the match, the feeling was just 'job done'. Because we were expected to beat Dunfermline comfortably.

"When you become a Celtic player, you have to deal with that aspect of it. You quickly realise you must win matches on a weekly basis.

"Drawing at Celtic is unacceptable. The pressure that goes with playing for them means they have to win on Sunday.

"It's the opposite for Hearts. Although they're a big club, the supporters will go to Hampden more in hope than expectation. The pressure is all on Celtic.

"Although we were expected to beat Gretna in 2006, it was still a huge achievement for Hearts to lift the Cup.

"It was a far greater feat than winning it with Celtic. The contrast was massive and that was reflected post-match."

Pressley's still marvelling at the job Kenny Shiels did in leading his Kilmarnock side to League Cup success last month against Celtic.

And he believes Hoops could suffer another shock defeat at the hands of Paulo Sergio's side. And Pressley insists the experience of players such as Andy Webster and Rudi Skacel – who both played in 2006 – can be crucial as they know what adulation awaits if they can reach the final.

He said: "The Hearts players will realise what winning on Sunday could mean. They still have players there who experienced it, like Rudi and Andy.

"They know what's at stake. They will be aware of what beating Celtic and the prospect of a final will entail.

"And it's more than possible. The evidence is there, in terms of Kilmarnock's result at Hampden last month. This is a great opportunity.

"If you look at the stats of the Old Firm playing at Hampden in the last 15 years, it's rare for them to lose a cup tie when it's not against each other.

"So Hearts need everything to go right on the day. But they have the playing squad and the experience to do it. They can definitely create an upset on Sunday."

Celtic manager Neil Lennon is desperate to complete a double by adding the Scottish Cup to the title success that was sealed at Rugby Park last weekend.

That 2007 final against the Pars was the last time Celtic achieved that and – after being subbed by Strachan – it was also Lennon's last game in a Hoops jersey. But former team-mate Pressley says he was convinced even then Lenny would be back as a boss and he's not surprised by Lennon's success rate so far.

Elvis added: "I played with Neil against Dunfermline and that was his last game for the club.

"But I always thought there was a distinct possibility he'd return to Hampden as a manager.

"He was just that type of person. He was a good influence in the dressing room and carried a lot of respect within the club.

"Neil was a great communicator on the pitch so already had credentials to be boss. It has maybe came quicker than people expected but he's grown into the Celtic job.

"For him to be on the verge of a double is a terrific achievement for him."

Taken from the Daily Record