'Not all title pressure on Hearts' - Pressley

Steven Pressley says facing "wounded" Hearts will be a challenge Former Heart of Midlothian caretaker Steven Pressley does not believe all the pressure is on his former club as they lead the Scottish Premiership title race, suggesting there is still the expectation that "probably Rangers or Celtic will just nick it". The 52-year-old former Scotland centre-half, who played for all three clubs, takes his Dundee side to Tynecastle on Saturday looking to inflict more damage on the Edinburgh side after their 1-0 defeat by second-bottom Kilmarnock last time out. Hearts have led the way for the past six months but are now just two points above reigning champions Celtic, with Rangers one point further back in third. "Playing at Hearts, I understand the club, there is always an expectation there," Dundee head coach Pressley, who was captain during his eight years at Tynecastle, said. Listen: What role will VAR play in Scottish title race? Celtic's Schmeichel 'could've played last game' 'I don't regret anything' - Martin on Rangers reign "And they have done so well this season, but I think a lot of people externally think that probably Rangers or Celtic will just nick it. "That is what a lot of people are thinking, so I am not sure the pressure is with Hearts. "But there will be internal pressure, pressure they put on themselves after having such a good season and, because they are in this situation, they want to go the full distance." Pressley's side head to Edinburgh unbeaten in five games after Sunday's draw in their city derby, but he is braced for a backlash from a side who have yet to lose at Tynecastle in the Premiership this season. "It makes it a really intense game at the weekend but a game that our players should be really looking forward to," he said. "After the result last week against Kilmarnock, they will be a wounded animal. They are at home, they have the best home form in the league, they will be determined to get back on track, so I think the one thing that we need to be ready for is a very determined and aggressive Hearts team. "They are very good at home, so it is going to take, in my opinion, our best performance of the season to win at Tynecastle this weekend. That is how big a challenge I think this weekend is." Dundee sit eighth in the table after just one defeat in seven league games - having scored twice in stoppage time to salvage a point against Dundee United. "They embrace challenge, they embrace adversity," Pressley added while stressing his side will need to improve on their derby performance. "In the last five or six weeks, they have demonstrated time and time again with late goals their resilience and their grit." Visit our Dundee page for all the latest news, analysis and fan views Get Dundee news notifications in the BBC Sport app Champions League: Build-up to Barcelona v Newcastle before Liverpool & Tottenham play Senegal government alleges corruption over Afcon 'The longest VAR check in history' - the fallout from shock Afcon decision Don’t miss Red Nose Day, live from 7pm on Friday 20 March Have Chelsea silenced the critics? Inside the hidden world of China’s ‘mistress dispellers’ What happens when motherhood is pushed to its limits? 'Aberdeen savour the most perfect game ever played' How McTominay became a Napoli icon after Man Utd exit Scotland men's internationals to be shown live on BBC Commonwealth Games: Why is it so special to be part of Team Scotland? From titles to tinpottery - rank Scotland's top 10 clubs Afcon final chaos - key questions answered Why ex-Palace winger Olise is now in Ballon d'Or contention at Bayern Have Liverpool lost 'chaotic' edge that made them so feared? The 'anti-Lamine' backed to be one of best in world Will Champions League be Guardiola's Man City regret? 'Being in Manchester has made me love nature so much more' Video 'Being in Manchester has made me love nature so much more' Inside the state school at the top of English rugby union 'Looking like the Hamilton of old' and potential rule changes - F1 Q&A Chelsea's cheating - was a fine too lenient? 'Haaland of rugby' - how Bielle-Biarrey has stormed stage Who makes BBC pundits' Six Nations team of the tournament? Video Who makes BBC pundits' Six Nations team of the tournament? Another compelling Players - but why is it unlikely to ever be a major? Norrie replaces Draper as British number one - but for how long? Aberg & Fitzpatrick falter as Young becomes Players champion. Video Aberg & Fitzpatrick falter as Young becomes Players champion Have Old Firm wrestled title momentum away from Hearts? Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.