Steven Pressley: I want to keep playing

Oct 12 2008 By Mark Guidi

STEVEN PRESSLEY spent the summer fearing he was headed for the scrapheap after being rejected by the likes of Doncaster - now he's ready to play on in to next year thanks to a new lease of life in Denmark.

The former Celtic, Hearts, Dundee United and Rangers stopper is turning out for Danish side Randers on a short-term deal that ends in December.

That leaves the door open for another move and the 35-year-old isn't ready to hang up his boots yet.

Elvis said: "I feel I'm getting better and nearing the level I want. If I reach the level I know is required then I will look to continue playing after January.

"I'm enjoying it in Denmark and it has been great to be back playing again.

"Randers is an excellent community club and the standard of football is good in Denmark - I haven't headed the ball nearly as often I used to in the SPL!

"The move has been great and I've enjoyed the variation in styles of football and new training methods.

"Before I joined Hearts I had the chance to move to FC Utrecht in Holland but decided against it.

"So to get the chance to play abroad has been interesting and worthwhile."

Celtic head to Denmark next month to face Aalborg in their vital Champions League clash.

Pressley will make the 50-mile journey from his rented accommodation to attend the game and reckons Bruce Rioch's side will struggle to beat the Hoops.

He said: "People were relatively surprised Aalborg managed to draw 0-0 at Parkhead last month because they were struggling in the league.

"The standard in Denmark is better than people believe. However, I expect Celtic to beat Aalborg."

As part of his role as Scotland assistant coach, Pressley has been keeping an eye on Celtic's form to assess his former team-mates.

He also gets footage sent to Denmark of other players in the squad.

Pressley said: "I study the DVDs to make sure I'm up to date.

"I might be out of the country but still want to make sure I'm up to speed on the form of the Scotland players.

"Watching the games helps me kill time because I'm on my own. My family did not move out as it's only a short-term contract.

"I also watch coachingDVDs to give me new ideas. It may sound boring but you can never have enough knowledge about the game to keep you fresh."