WHEN new Scotland manager George Burley approached Steven Pressley to become his assistant, the Celtic defender wondered whether there might be an ulterior motive. "I asked him if it was a subtle way of retiring me," the 34-year-old said.
Even if he would dearly love it to be otherwise, Pressley's only international involvement in the coming years is surely only going to be "helping with the training and bouncing ideas" off Burley and fellow lieutenant Terry Butcher. At the first get-
together under the new management earlier this week, Pressley confessed the switch from player to coach at such an exalted level felt strange. He does not intend to make the transition permanent any time soon.
Yet, in the handful of appearances he has made since recovering from a back operation that has left him feeling fitter than ever, Pressley has cut an unconvincing figure. Out of the Celtic side since December, he recognises that his time in the east end of Glasgow might be limited to his present deal, which expires in the summer. But he intends to be playing top level football somewhere next season.
"I thoroughly enjoy it at Celtic, I really do," he said. "I would love to continue playing at the club and if I can establish myself between now and the end of the season maybe I will. The contract situation is something I'll need to discuss with the manager between now and the end of the season."
Pressley has been immersing himself in the intricacies of football management since starting out in the game. He sat his coaching B licence at the age of 20. As a natural leader of men, he has appeared a shoo-in to be one day sticking a team on to a tactics board since he became the Tynecastle shop steward/team bonder/figurehead in the wake of Burley's departure from Hearts in October 2005 after only three months.
Even if he refuses to say, it seems this draining episode has left the manager-in-waiting feeling that management can wait. "I think with regard to football management you can be too desperate to take a job too quickly," he said. "Managers are judged very quickly and you can be in and out of a job very quickly."
Pressley must have made a mighty strong impression in rapid time on Burley for the Scotland manager to fast-track him into the international set-up. It cut both ways. "His training was always very enjoyable, always a good tempo, and he was a demanding coach," Pressley said of their three months working together. "He was always well organised, worked hard on how he wanted his team to play and was aggressive and made his team aggressive. He was very positive around the club, and made people feel good about themselves, which I am sure he will do with Scotland."
Pressley has good vibes about the chemistry between Scotland's backroom trio. His associations with former Rangers captain Butcher go way back to his time as an Ibrox youth player. "He was a big influence and I remember seeking advice from him about defending. It just shows you never know what the future holds."
The full article contains 549 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
