Pressley sad at Burley departure

Hearts 2-0 Dunfermline Burley in shock exit from Hearts

Hearts captain Steven Pressley is upset that manager George Burley has left the club but vowed the players will put it behind them and battle on.

"I'm bitterly disappointed," Pressley told BBC Sport. "The manager was a very popular figure in the dressing room.

"It came as a complete surprise. We were not aware of any problem between the manager and the board.

"But players are employed to do one thing only and that's to try and get results, so we'll stay focused."

Pressley was sent off in the final minute of Hearts 2-0 win over Dunfermline but the talk was only of Burley's surprise exit.

"I received a phone call at 10am telling me the disappointing news," added the Scotland defender.

"He is very much a players' manager, a great tactician and his training sessions were first class.

"I can only speak for the dressing room and we are extremely disappointed.

"We showed our professional side today with a first-class performance and result which he would have been proud of. We must continue to do that.

"We cannot dictate to the board their decisions, we can only answer to them.

"We have a responsibility to our supporters as well, who pay hard-earned money to watch us."