Ah, Steven Pressley. Born in the charming land of kilts and haggis on 11 October 1973, now nudging over the half-century mark at 51 years ripe. A man of sturdy frame, standing at a commendable 6ft (1.83m) and pushing the scales to a robust 12st 6lbs (79kg). Famed for denying opposition strikers the joy of scoring as a central defender, Pressley found himself taking his first footballing steps at Rangers in the Premiership, being roped in as a fresh-faced trainee in August 1990.
A quiet debut season for our lad Steven, managing to squeeze himself onto the pitch for a solitary league appearance in 1991 - 1992. The following seasons saw a slow, but sure, increase in playtime, culminating in 23 first team appearances and even a goal in the 1993 - 1994 season. However, the writing was on the wall, after a sharp drop to a mere two appearances in 1994 - 1995.
Like a rolling stone, Pressley found himself drifting southwards for a smashing fee of around £600k to Coventry City in the Championship in England, in October 1994, managing a commendable 19 appearances and even netting a goal that season.
After a little taste of English football, our wandering Scotsman decided home is where the heart is, returning to the Scottish Premiership with Dundee United in July 1995 for a sweet chunk of change amounting to about £750k. Three full seasons splattered with steady performances saw Pressley engage in regular play and he even got himself on the scoresheet, adding to his tally.
Next stop, Hearts, in July 1998, where Pressley appeared to find his stride amidst some pretty hefty seasons full of appearances, notching up appearances and even tacking on some goals in a few seasons from 1998 through to 2006. No mean feat that, although age seemed to be creeping up on him as appearances dwindled in his last season there.
And there it is, ladies and gentlemen, the highlight of this dandy Scotsman's career - a move to Celtic, the grand old lady of Scottish football, in December 2006. In his first season, he muscled in 14 appearances and snagged a goal. Unfortunately second season syndrome struck and he only managed a paltry five appearances in 2007 - 2008, before he was exported to far-off Denmark, joining Superliga side Randers in September 2008.
After half a season there and another move, this time to Falkirk in the Scottish Championship in January 2009, we find ourselves at the end of the official transfer records. There isn't much written about his time at Falkirk, other than 16 appearances. No goals, no silverware, just a small footnote in an illustrious career. What a ride it's been, eh?
