McGlynn hails Hearts pair
Hearts assistant coach John McGlynn has pinpointed the contributions of Steven Pressley and Paul Hartley as the driving force behind the club’s successful season.
Tynecastle defender Pressley, 32, is set to shrug off a back problem to play in the Tennent’s Scottish Cup final against Gretna on Saturday.
Fellow Scotland international Hartley, who is 29, is also expected to return to the side after being rested for the defeat at Rangers on Sunday.
Now the Tynecastle number two has called on the Hearts squad to reward the pair with cup winners’ medals at the weekend, after sealing second place in the Bank of Scotland Premier League.
McGlynn told the Edinburgh Evening News: “What has driven the squad on through everything this year has been people like Elvis (Pressley) and Paul Hartley’s determination to win something with Hearts.
“They probably realise that they won’t have too many more chances to be successful and have been at clubs before who are not used to winning things.
“Steven was saying that to me yesterday, that you have to take this opportunity when it comes.
“He was telling me that he lost in a cup semi-final replay with Dundee United when they were big favourites to win against Kilmarnock.
“At that time, he probably thought he was going to play in another one fairly soon, but that was nine years ago and he is only just making it to the final now.
“He and Paul might not get too many more opportunities, so they see this one and they want to grasp it.
“That’s why we’ve kept on going this year, as well as other players like Jankauskas and Fyssas who have done it in other countries.
“They have no fear and have gone out and done the business.”
Hearts may have a full-strength squad available at the weekend, with doubts over Pressley and defender Takis Fyssas clearing.
Centre-half Andy Webster is also back in training after an Achilles problem, although whether he is fit remains to be seen.
