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Pressley's Hearts future in doubt Pressley silent on Hearts future
(about 9 hours later)
Steven Pressley's future as captain of Hearts is in doubt following his exclusion from the game at Falkirk. Steven Pressley's future as captain of Hearts remains in doubt following his exclusion from the game at Falkirk.
Hearts refused to confirm if the 33-year-old had been dropped for the 1-1 draw or had resigned the captaincy. Hearts insist the 33-year-old defender chose not to play, having declared himself mentally unfit.
Last month, Pressley spoke publicly of "significant unrest" at the club, following the departure of head coach Valdas Ivanauskas on sick leave. Sporting director Alex Koslovski told Hearts World: "Captaincy rumours unsettled him - he asked not to be selected due to his state of mind."
"Of course it's a concern," goalkeeper Craig Gordon told BBC Sport. "It's something that we need to sort out." Pressley trained on Tuesday, while most first-team players enjoyed a day off, but would not comment on the issue.
Gordon hopes to see Pressley returnGordon hopes to see Pressley return
Pressley has been at Tynecastle since 1998 and signed a two-year contract extension in March 2005. Last month, Pressley spoke publicly of "significant unrest" at the club, following the departure of head coach Valdas Ivanauskas on sick leave.
But Hearts officials would not be drawn on the matter and were refusing to speak to the media. And the "rumours" that Koslovski mentioned are thought to relate to an alleged plot inside the club to strip Pressley of the captain's armband.
Scotland star Gordon did talk to BBC Sport but would not reveal the details of Pressley's shock omission. "Of course it's a concern," goalkeeper Craig Gordon told BBC Sport after Monday's 1-1 draw at Falkirk. "It's something that we need to sort out."
While Hearts officials would not comment, Gordon did talk to BBC Sport but would not reveal the details of Pressley's shock omission.
We are going to give everything we have to bring success to this club Craig GordonWe are going to give everything we have to bring success to this club Craig Gordon
"I have spoken to Steven and he wished the boys all the best for the game," he said."I have spoken to Steven and he wished the boys all the best for the game," he said.
"He still wanted us to get the result and do the best we could for everyone here."He still wanted us to get the result and do the best we could for everyone here.
"He did not play tonight but, hopefully, he will come back into the reckoning as soon as possible.""He did not play tonight but, hopefully, he will come back into the reckoning as soon as possible."
The Edinburgh side have gone off the boil in recent weeks and have not won a game since they hammered Dundee United 4-0 on 1 October.The Edinburgh side have gone off the boil in recent weeks and have not won a game since they hammered Dundee United 4-0 on 1 October.
MY SPORT DEBATE: Share your thoughts on the newsMY SPORT DEBATE: Share your thoughts on the news
Fellow Scotland international Paul Hartley, who flanked Pressley when he read a statement outlining the players' unrest, was dropped to the bench for the Falkirk match.Fellow Scotland international Paul Hartley, who flanked Pressley when he read a statement outlining the players' unrest, was dropped to the bench for the Falkirk match.
And Hartley was not introduced until injury time in a match that saw several Hearts players underperform.And Hartley was not introduced until injury time in a match that saw several Hearts players underperform.
Gordon was quick to quash the rumour that he and Hartley had offered not to play in support of Pressley.Gordon was quick to quash the rumour that he and Hartley had offered not to play in support of Pressley.
"No chance," he told BBC Sport. "We are not walking out on the club and especially the fans who have been fantastic through all of this."No chance," he told BBC Sport. "We are not walking out on the club and especially the fans who have been fantastic through all of this.
"There is absolutely no way that will happen from anyone in this squad. We are going to give everything we have to bring success to this club.""There is absolutely no way that will happen from anyone in this squad. We are going to give everything we have to bring success to this club."
Interim coach Eduard Malofeev continues to oversee the team and will do so for the match against Rangers on Sunday. Pressley has been at Tynecastle since 1998 and signed a two-year contract extension in March 2005.
But BBC Sport understands Eugenijus Riabovas will take over the manager's role after that game.
Riabovas has recently steered FBK Kaunas to the Lithuanian title and his arrival will cast further uncertainty over the future of Ivanauskas, who is recovering from health problems.