SPLITTING OLD FIRM REALISTIC AIM IN GORGIE, SAYS PRESSLEY

STEVEN PRESSLEY is yet to be convinced Hearts have the know-how and confidence to sustain a title challenge — however he does see a clear avenue for Robbie Neilson’s side to split the Glasgow sides this season. Unbeaten after eight games, Hearts go to Ibrox next weekend knowing a win over champions Rangers could lift them to the top of the table. Pressley captained the Tynecastle side to a runners-up finish in season 2005-06, when his team-mates included the club’s current manager Robbie Neilson and goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

He believes the influence of those two will be essential if his old club is to achieve something special this term.

He said: ‘I had eight years at Hearts and the truth is that for the first few seasons we went to Ibrox in hope rather than belief.

‘It took us a few years to grow that confidence and belief that we could go there and win.

‘That will be one of the tests for Robbie’s team. They are in the infancy in terms of their journey.

‘They have a goalkeeper and manager who have been there and done it, so I’m not saying they can’t — far from it.

‘But unless you can buy the very best players, the success stories are generally built on a period of sustained stability.

‘Robbie is in his second year but these players haven’t visited Ibrox or Celtic Park on a regular basis.

‘Yes, they are going well but they must have the belief to go out in front of 50,000 and win.

‘Saturday’s game will tell you a lot about where this team is at. It will tell you whether they truly believe they can make an impact or whether they will fall short.’

Hearts’ last shot at the title came in that campaign 16 years ago when Vladimir Romanov bankrolled the acquisition of marquee names like Takis Fyssas, Edgaras Jankauskas and Rudi Skacel.

He also brought George Burley to the club as manager and, although the season started spectacularly, Burley was sacked with the team unbeaten and top of the pile.

‘I don’t think you should ever not aim high,’ continued Pressley. ‘I remember we sat in a meeting with Burley at the start of that season.

‘The question posed was what are we aiming for? And the aim within the group was to win the league.

‘If you’re asking me what the more realistic outcome would be, it’s to split the Old Firm.

‘And if either one of the Edinburgh sides were to do that, it’d be a terrific achievement.

‘Rangers have lacked a bit of aggression this season with Ryan Jack being out injured.

‘The fans are back, too, and I think we underestimate the effect the crowd can have and the pressure they bring. But Rangers are still winning games. They maybe haven’t hit the heights of performance but they still look like an outfit that knows how to win.

‘That has been built over the period of Steven Gerrard’s reign, the consistency of his coaching and what he demands.

‘Across the city, it is the polar opposite, they are still trying to find that winning formula. So I think this is a great opportunity, especially with Celtic, who I think look extremely vulnerable.

‘Rangers are still a team who can win the vast majority of their away games. I don’t see that being the case at Celtic, with their defence.’

This summer, Pressley was appointed head of individual development at English Premier League club Brentford.

The role involves him coaching on a one-to-one basis and involves a mixture of ‘the eye’ and the data analysis for which the club has become so renowned.

Despite being based in the south-east — his son Aaron is also contracted to Brentford but on loan at League One side AFC Wimbledon — he retains strong links to Neilson and has been impressed with how the club kicked on following last season’s promotion from the Championship.

In particular, he admires the recruitment done over the summer.

Pressley continues: ‘We talk a lot about the tactical element of the game, styles of play, but we forget that the players are the most important tools for success. In recent years, the recruitment at Hearts has been far from convincing.

‘Robbie has adopted a 3-4-3 system. For that to work, it requires good legs in the middle of the pitch and they lacked that last season.

‘He has added that in Cammy Devlin and Beni Baningime. Both of those players have a degree of aggression and physicality, too.

‘They also have the ability to counter with speed. That is a great tool when you are playing away from home at the likes of Ibrox.’

Pressley also believes Edinburgh rivals Hibs could be Hearts’ greatest allies if they are to sustain a challenge for the title this season.

Jack Ross’s team have also started strongly and led at Ibrox last weekend before being reduced to ten men and suffering their first defeat of the domestic campaign.

Pressley believes the overall standard of the division has improved this term. And with both capital clubs in the mix, he reckons it heightens the chances of the big two dropping enough points to keep the championship a live issue deep into the season.

‘If there is to be a challenge from outside Glasgow, you need a number of teams capable of taking points from the Old Firm.’ he says.

‘This season, more than any I can remember, that looks the case.

‘The Scottish game needs a strong Hearts and Hibs. A strong Aberdeen. A strong Dundee United.

‘We’ve got the biggest clubs all in the top flight for the first time in so long and it’s a breath of fresh air.’