Sunday 28 June 2015 12:46, UK
Out of contract players in Scotland who find themselves without a club this summer have been given an opportunity to put themselves in the shop window for next season with a special week-long training event.
PFA Scotland have organised the Player Showcase at Broadwood Stadium, with the event giving players a platform to highlight their abilities for watching scouts and managers of different clubs.
Coaching sessions have been led by players such as Andrew Barrowman and Ritchie Brittain and there have been guest coaches throughout the week including the likes of Neil McCann, Lee McCulloch, Stephen McManus and Mark Wilson who are all studying for their UEFA A Licences.
There has been strength and conditioning sessions, other off-the-field fitness work and an educational element to the week, including help with CV writing and interview techniques.
Midfielder Iain Davidson, who left Dundee in the summer after three years, said the week was useful for players looking to impress.
He told Sky Sports News HQ: “It is a massive week for myself and all the other boys that are here. Football is obviously a very fickle game and unpredictable and when you are out of contract there is that uncertainty.
“I think what Michelle Evans and the PFA have done here is a massive week for everyone and it is run very well.
“Some of these lads will go on to play football and some won’t unfortunately and that’s the harsh reality of football. But obviously the other side of it is that they’ve had careers and education so some of them will go on to be policemen or firemen, something like that.”
Davidson, 31, said he didn’t feel too much pressure to perform and that it was up to the players to go and express themselves.
“I suppose it is up to the individual if they want to put pressure on themselves,” he said. “What is pressure? Everyone is different as an individual, it’s just a bag of air so you’ve just got to go and enjoy it, express yourself and you never know who is in that stand.
“There is going to be a lot of people here – scouts, managers, coaches from all over Britain probably so it is a massive week for everyone.
“I’m an experienced player – I’m 31 now - I’ve only got a few years left but I look after myself. I’ve had a few offers in Scotland and there is a bit of interest in League Two in England at the moment so it is an opportunity to enhance my skills and hopefully open up more options.”
Youngster Craig Murray was released by Aberdeen at the end of last season and is also attracting the attention of clubs.
While disappointed to leave the Dons, the 21-year-old has been keen to take advantage of the week-long showcase.
Murray said: “It has been hard to leave Aberdeen, they are in such a good place just now so I expected it but this has been a great week.
“I just want to go out there and show what I can do and hopefully get something snapped up quickly.”
