Pressley targets return

Defender Steven Pressley hopes he will not have to wait too long before regaining his place in the Celtic side.

The former Hearts skipper went under the knife a few months ago to cure a troublesome back injury.

But he is on the verge of a return to action after concluding a thorough rehabilitation period and getting no fewer than four reserve matches under his belt.

But the Hoops, who have had Stephen McManus and John Kennedy at the back recently, have yet to concede a goal at home in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League this season.

Pressley said: “Both John and Stephen have performed well and I need to be patient. But injuries occur, suspensions happen and football changes.

“The manager has shown that if you go into the team and play to the right levels then you will maintain your place.

“And at the moment that is what I have got to look to do.”

Gordon Strachan’s men face Aberdeen at Parkhead tomorrow, and although the manager may decide to hold back Pressley’s comeback, the stopper predicts a tough one.

He said: “Aberdeen are a well-drilled and well-organised team. They have good younger players with good athleticism.

“But at Celtic Park if we play to our levels then we would expect ourselves to win the game.”

Meanwhile, Pressley remains confident he can resurrect his international career after a lengthy lay-off.

But the 34-year-old claims there is no reason to panic despite Scotland boss Alex McLeish being linked with jobs in the Barclays Premier League.

He said: “Alex has done a fantastic job for the country and there was always going to be speculation about his future. But I’m sure that if he chooses to go everybody will wish him all the best.

“The Scotland job is a very attractive one at the moment and if Alex chooses to move on there will be no shortage of candidates.”