PRESSLEY: I know my time is up at Celtic

by Ronnie Cully

CELTIC are shaping up to ship out two of their most experienced players in the summer.

The Parkhead club are today set to announce they are going from strength to strength off the park.

And they aim to do the same on the field by continuing to regenerate their squad.
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Steven Pressley has admitted he does not expect to have his contract renewed when it runs out at the end of the season.

And Thomas Gravesen's agent says he does not believe the Dane, who turns 32 next month, will kick another ball for Gordon Strachan.

The 34-year-old Pressley - who has been named as one of George Burley's assistants with the Scotland team - has no intention of hanging up his boots.

He moved to Parkhead from Hearts in December 2006 after an acrimonious end to his Tynecastle career.

But he has not played for Celtic since Dec 22, when the club drew 1-1 with Hibs at Celtic Park.

Since then, Bobo Balde and Gary Caldwell have partnered Stephen McManus at the heart of a defence which has won every game, conceding just two goals.

Pressley concedes such is the form of the men in possession he simply can't get back in.

He said: "I feel very good and I do look to continue playing. Whether it is here, at this moment it doesn't look likely. I would love to extend my stay here. But if I have to go elsewhere and find first team football, that may be the case.

"I certainly don't intend to hang up the old boots yet. I still feel I've something to give as a player.

"This season I haven't played as many games as I'd have liked. Some of that has certainly been down to my back injury, but in recent months it has been down to the form of both our central defenders.

"Throughout my career I've played regularly and never had to experience what I have in recent months.

"But I have a great deal of respect for the management team and think we have a fantastic squad of players."

Strachan reciprocates the respect shown by the player, and continues to be hold up Pressley as an example to other players how a professional should conduct himself.

Pressley said: "The most important thing for me is that, although I'm not featuring, I continue to prepare every week as though I was going to play because, in football, you don't know when your chance will arrive."

Gravesen still has another 16 months on a contract that is reputed to make him the highest earner in Scottish football.

He is on loan to Everton until the end of the season and his agent, John Sivebaek, said: "Gravesen is not in Celtic's current plans and he will not be in the future, either."