Steven Pressley

Steven John Pressley (born 11 October 1973 in Elgin, Moray, Moray) is a Scottish people international football (soccer), currently playing for Scottish Premier League club Celtic F.C.. He is often known by his nickname, "Elvis Presley".

Early career

Pressley started his career at Rangers F.C. as a youngster. During his time at Ibrox Stadium he won a Scottish Cup winner's medal in 1993, appearing as a substitute as Rangers defeated Aberdeen F.C. in the final. This would end up being the last cup he would win until 2006 when he won the Scottish Cup with Heart of Midlothian F.C.. Despite being hailed in the media as "the new Richard Gough (footballer)", he struggled to establish himself as a regular and was transferred to England side Coventry City F.C. in 1994 for £630,000. He only lasted a year in England, where he had problems with his form and disciplinary record, before returning to Scotland with Dundee United F.C. for a fee of £750,000. He helped United to promotion back to the Scottish Premier League in his first season, followed by a third place finish in the top flight in 1996-97 in Scottish football.

Hearts: 1998-2006

His influential style of play and his organisational skills were noticed by Hearts manager Jim Jefferies, and he was signed by the Edinburgh club on a Bosman ruling free transfer in 1998. His time at the club during the pre-Vladimir Romanov years saw Hearts usually being known as the third-best team in Scottish football. He was an influence in the team at the back during the years when Craig Levein was in charge. He was also at the helm when the team enjoyed some memorable European nights with victories over VfB Stuttgart, FC Girondins de Bordeaux and FC Basel. He helped Hearts finish second in the league in 2005-06 in Scottish football, third on three occasions, as well as reaching the Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup semi-finals. He acted as a spokesman for the playing squad in response to the various controversies affecting the club under the ownership of Vladimir Romanov. His enrollment into the Hearts Hall of Fame highlights the status which he enjoyed at Tynecastle.

Pressley led Hearts to success in the Scottish Cup Final on 13 May 2006, albeit on a penalty shoot-out after the club were held to a 1-1 draw with Gretna F.C. after extra time. Pressley scored the first penalty for Hearts, who eventually won 4-2.

On 27 October 2006, Pressley led a press conference, flanked by fellow internationals Craig Gordon and Paul Hartley, announcing that there was "significant unrest in the Hearts dressing room" following majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov's most recent comments. Romanov stated that he would sell players if Hearts failed to beat Dunfermline Athletic F.C., However, this game was played out in front of a sell-out crowd who showed their vocal backing for Pressley, Gordon and Hartley.

On 13 November 2006, Pressley was absent from the Hearts squad to face Falkirk F.C. and had been reportedly stripped of the captaincy. A month later, on 9 December 2006, it was confirmed that Pressley and Hearts had parted company and was reported to be attracting the interest of several clubs.

On 27 December 2006, he was spotted watching Charlton Athletic F.C. against Fulham F.C. with his agent and Charlton representatives. The comments from the Charlton manager Alan Pardew after the game seemed to confirm that he would sign for them during the January transfer window.

Celtic: 2006-present

Despite interest from premiership Derby County and Charlton, it was revealed on 29 December 2006 that Pressley had been signed as a free agent by Celtic F.C. until May 2008.
Having previously played for Rangers, he joins players such as Maurice Johnston, Alfie Conn, Jr., Kenny Miller and Mark Brown (footballer) in crossing the Old Firm. He made his debut on 2 January 2007 against Kilmarnock F.C] and, on 14 January, 2007, returned to Tynecastle as stand-in Celtic captain.

On 25 February 2007, he scored his first competitive goal for Celtic against Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup.

On 26 May, 2007 he featured in the Celtic team that won the Scottish Cup, making him the first person to do so with three different clubs.

Scotland career

Pressley is also a Scotland national football team international, having been cap (football) 32 times since his debut in 2000 against France national football team.

His appearance against Lithuania national football team on 6th September 2006 ensured he surpassed Bobby Walker's record as Hearts' most capped Scotland player in their 2-1 victory in Kaunas. A record which has stood for 91 years. He became the first Scottish player to be sent off in Scotland national football team Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, in their away game against Ukraine national football team on 11 October 2006, which, incidentally was also Scotland's first international defeat in the campaign.