The Science Of Winning

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by K.V. Oostende striker Dapo Mebude.

For as long as he can remember, Dapo had wanted to become a footballer. He had the opportunity to join the Glasgow Rangers Youth Academy at ten years old and turned professional six years later in 2017, when he made his debut at Ibrox.

Dapo acknowledges the numerous mentors that instilled confidence, ambition, and drive in the young player through those early years, from coach Jimmy McNee to Academy Head Craig Mulholland.

To Dapo, having support from his family, peers, and mentors allows him to embrace his fullest potential as a player. “All I ever want,” says Dapo, “is to know that they have my best interests at heart. If I trust them, I know I can become the best version of myself.”

Of course, self-belief is just as important. Dapo believes that mental fortitude and striving to improve day by day are the less obvious but foundational traits of the best in the game.

He recalls training with the under-20s just before signing his professional contract and, instead of allowing himself to be intimidated by the skill of these older players, was driven to be the best performer on his future team. Dapo believes that talent and attitude combined directly determines how successful you become, no matter the field.

Through observing the professionalism of his coach and fellow Rangers teammates, Dapo also learned the powerful lesson that “how quickly you get there is how quickly you can lose it all”. This outlook kept his passion and ambition alive amid the turbulence of moving from club to club as a young footballer.

He attributes his characteristic humility, intense drive, and unfailing optimism to his faith in God, saying:

“I don’t want to leave anything to fate. I want to keep pushing myself until I can’t handle it anymore. Until I get to that point, I want to keep trying to do the best I can, because that’s all I can do.”

TIMESTAMP:

[00:47] Dapo’s life in Belgium

[02:13] Joining the Rangers youth system at the age of ten and becoming a part of K.V. Oostende

[03:50] Why Dapo wanted to become a footballer

[05:22] Who influenced Dapo in the world of sports

[11:54] The importance of having family and peer support as a young football player

[14:49] Maturing as a player

[18:00] What keeps the best players going when most have quit

[23:00] How the confidence and professionalism of his manager and fellow players inspired Dapo to develop himself every day

[30:20] The power of faith

[32:15] How it felt when Dapo made his debut

[35:55] The experience of moving from club to club as a young player

Connect with Dapo Mebude:

John Kennedy on Coaching Today’s Young Players

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Celtic assistant manager John Kennedy.

John kicks off the conversation by describing the value that playing football on the street brought to his life in childhood in terms of camaraderie, challenge, and creativity.

He spent his early teen years in Celtic’s youth system. It is an experience that he is intensely grateful for not only because it helped launch his career, but also because its fast-paced environment instilled within him a priceless mindset of resilience and proactivity.

At age 16, John made his first-team debut during the 1999–2000 season.

Asked about how demands upon young players have changed over the years, John says that it’s impossible to completely tune out the many distractions of today’s world.

However, he believes that the fundamentals he was brought up with are as relevant as ever. 

Ultimately, as long as coaches keep their players engaged and having fun throughout training, they will progress.

John goes on to talk about making that transition from player to coach, particularly from a mindset perspective. 

He talks about the career-ending injury that had a major impact on him as a player and as a person

Despite—or perhaps because of—that setback, he learned to embrace vulnerability, empathy, and an openness to opportunity. 

This newfound approach to his life and career gave John the confidence to become a coach later down the line.

“Would I change a thing?” says John. “No, because I’m not the type of guy who loves regret and wondering, ‘What if?’ It has all taken me to where I am today. I wouldn’t change any of it, even though there have been a lot of really challenging times.”

TIMESTAMP:

[00:34] Being a part of the next Champions League this September

[02:22] Whether there are too many games nowadays

[03:26] Growing up with a love for football and his big influences

[09:06] The moment John knew he would be a professional player

[11:58] The importance of having family support as a football player

[14:57] Why there are more distractions for young players today

[20:26] John’s coaching best practices

[22:46] How Scotland has changed over the years as a place to live

[30:18] Making the mental transition from player to coach

[39:30] How coaching has evolved

[44:44] Working with different managers

[53:09] John’s goals for the future

Connect with John Kennedy:

Michael Sandilands of of Offxspringz Clothing

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Mike Sandilands, football fan and Founder of Offxspringz Clothing. The brand began as a “lockdown project” between the proud father and his two daughters Mylah and Harper in February 2021.

Initially, Mike challenged himself to take the drawings his daughters were doing on their blackboard, digitize them, and print them onto t-shirts. He took a heat press and watched YouTube videos on how to use it. His newfound hobby later progressed to printing for friends, families, and businesses.

From there Mike and his girls designed their famous wee bears logo, which quickly garnered interest from people all over the UK.

Offxspringz Clothing was born.

Today, Mike continues to work his day job at the Grant's whisky distillery before rushing home directly afterwards to fulfill orders as a business owner—both roles that he absolutely cherishes.

Asked why he decided to take the leap into entrepreneurship, Mike says that he had always wanted to develop his own clothing brand, and that the only thing he needed was the right inspiration to kick off his creativity. And what better source of inspiration than his own children?

He believes that, as a business owner, you’ve got to speculate to accumulate. To him, creative experimentation, aligning passion with purpose, and surrounding oneself with trustworthy people are the keys to entrepreneurial success.

All that, and a good amount of hard work, of course:

“I’m pretty obsessive with something,” says Mike. “So, if I get something in my head, I keep going.”

As for his biggest dream for the Offxspringz brand?

“I’d love to see David Beckham wearing it.”

TIMESTAMP:

[01:38] The story behind Offxspringz Clothing

[03:40] Partnering with Challenger Sports and his time in America

[05:16] Designing the wee bears logo

[08:11] What’s on offer at Offxspringz

[10:38] The moment Mike realized the brand was taking off

[12:14] Working a full-time job at Grant’s whisky distillery while running a clothing business

[15:35] Mike’s love for football

[17:22] Who Mike would love to see wearing Offxspringz

[21:27] Reaching out to big clothing brands for opportunities

[22:56] Mike’s keys to business success

[26:51] Where Mike’s creativity comes from

Visit Offxspringz Clothing:

Coinneach MacLeod, The Hebridean Baker

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by MP for Edinburgh South Ian Murray. He was previously Chair of the Foundation of Hearts and stepped down in  2016 in order to focus on his parliamentary duties. A football fan first and a politician second, he considers his resignation from the Hearts Board as “the worst mistake I’ve ever made in my life.”

Being a Hearts fan for as long as he can remember, Ian quips that “you can choose your friends and maybe you can even choose your family, but you can’t choose your football team.”

He talks about a number of his most treasured memories watching the Hearts through the years, speaking of each memory with equal fervor. Says Ian, “What’s the difference between a good and a bad football match? The stories you can tell for decades to come.”

Ian considers football “very much a working class game” at its core among the Scottish working class, and that the rampant commercialization of the sport in the past 40 years has slightly diminished that spirit. One can point to the fact that football is no longer priced as a working class game alone to illustrate this. What persists, however, is the sense of community that defines Scottish football culture.

Ian discusses the Hearts’ pride when it comes to protecting its legacy. Its early slogan, in fact, was: “Own the history, change the future.” Among ardent fans, there is an unspoken sense of responsibility to be custodians not only of the club’s history, but also for those of future generations to be involved with the club.

He also explains the cultural and economic differences between football clubs in Scotland and internationally renowned clubs in Spain and Germany. He says that aspiring club founders should not simply copy the model that made another club successful.

According to Ian, “You’ve got to bear in mind that you’ve got to do what’s best for your club and your fanbase. One size does not fit all. In fact, a thousand sizes do not fit all. You’ve just got to determine what’s in the best interest of the club.”

TIMESTAMP:

[00:25] Football fan first, politician second

[02:59] Growing up with the Hearts

[04:11] Ian’s favorite memories of the Hearts

[06:45] The Scottish working class love for football

[09:32] How football culture has evolved over the last 40 years in Scotland

[15:00] “Own the history, change the future.”

[18:09] Whether Scottish football clubs will ever become as high profile as those in Spain and Germany

[20:25] Getting involved in the political arena

[25:44] How Scottish football will continue to develop through the next ten years

Learn more about Ian Murray:

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Aberdeen F.C. goalkeeper Joe Lewis.

Joe had always loved being a goalkeeper since finding his passion for football at a young age, humorously adding that “every goalkeeper you speak to will always fancy themselves as a striker or an outfield player.” Among his role models were his own father and brother who were keen athletes in their own right, as well as fellow goalkeeper Robert Green.

He speaks about the discipline that was quickly instilled within him once he began his career in football, starting with Norwich City as a substitute goalkeeper before officially turning professional in October 2004.

He recalls that “you get verbally - battered if your boots weren’t clean.” Joe loved every minute of it, saying that his strict, routine-heavy days made him truly feel “involved” with the rest of the team.

Joe signed for Peterborough United on 8 January 2008 and stayed on with them for the next four years before agreeing to a three-year deal at Welsh club Cardiff City on 25 May 2012. Finally, he joined Aberdeen on 15 June 2016.

Joe discusses where he stands as a goalkeeper relative to the rest of the players, not to mention his coach and manager. He cites patience as one quality that successful goalkeepers uniquely must possess by nature of their role on the pitch. Just as important is making the effort to build rapport with team members in order to nurture that symbiotic relationship that is invaluable at game time.

To young players who haven’t quite gotten their big break yet, Joe encourages them to nurture the drive that motivated them to pursue a football career in the first place. Maintaining that drive is difficult as a 16 or 17 year old when they are forced to contend with the aforementioned day-to-day realities of being a professional footballer. That is where the virtue of patience once again becomes a useful skill to cultivate.

In Joe’s words: “Just have the mentality that, ‘Even if I’m not getting that opportunity, how can I get better?’ What’s stopping you from getting to where you want to go, and what can you do to get there?”

TIMESTAMP:

[00:37] Navigating the current break

[04:45] Becoming a goalkeeper

[08:59] Lessons in discipline as a professional footballer

[13:58] The importance of having family support in your first year as a professional footballer

[17:01] Making his debut at Norwich

[19:45] Why patience and relationship-buildingare vital as a goalkeeper

[27:19] How the goalkeeper can work successfully with the defensive unit

[29:09] Joe’s journey from Norwich to Aberdeen

[38:45] Choosing which club was right for him

[42:35] Joe’s advice to young players who haven’t had their big break yet

Learn more about Joe Lewis:

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Malky Thomson, Head Women’s Coach at Rangers Football Club.

After briefly going down memory lane and recalling the journey of the growth of his passion for football, Malky reflects on yesterday’s football culture, through which previous generations grew not only in their love for the sport, but also in their resourcefulness, street smarts, and community spirit.

He talks about the discipline and work ethic that was instilled in him as a young footballer as well as the series of events that led him to getting “discovered” by Aberdeen. He was truly thrown in the deep end. “I can remember thinking I was a good player at the Boys Club level,” says Malky, but that he was quickly humbled once training began.

Aberdeen was a major influence on Malky even going beyond his football career. He recalls one particularly memorable moment when his manager Sir Alex Ferguson walked into the changing room and exclaimed, “One of you might make it. But everyone of you will make it in life by the time I’m finished with you,” before promptly making his exit.

Malky's tough early career has made him a relatable coach to the players he works with today. He says that there were many times he felt that he wasn’t quick enough, as skilled enough, or as sharp enough during games; however, he always knew that he was wanted. No matter the player’s background, character, or level of skill, Malky believes that the bottom line consideration is to truly make them feel that they contribute to the team’s efforts.

He brings it back to his coach’s words, that not everyone is going to make it as a footballer, but under his leadership, he was determined to help his players make it in life.

Malky attributes much of his success to his authenticity and willingness to take risks both as a coach and a player. Because football is inherently a team-focused sport, you need to gain and maintain trust with your coach, manager, or players, and that starts and ends with being yourself. And to stand a chance of “making it” as a footballer? That involves a lot of risk-taking and a willingness to endure the failures and setbacks that you will be inevitably faced with.

“Coaches have got a real responsibility,” concludes Malky, “to ensure that they create an environment where players can just be who they are, and to assure them that it’s okay to make mistakes and feel pressure.”

TIMESTAMP:

[01:04] How Malky got into football

[04:24] Can we duplicate the street football culture of decades past in today’s world?

[07:24] How Malky built discipline and work ethic as a young footballer

[15:21] Tough pre-game conversations

[17:26] How Aberdeen shaped Malky as a football man

[22:38] How Malky’s early career has helped him relate well to players he coaches

[26:51] The opportunities that have come Malky’s way through the years

[31:00] The importance of authenticity to be successful as a coach or a player

[34:31] Why we can’t avoid taking risks

[36:14] Moving into coaching the women’s team.

[41:55] The coachability and humility of the women’s team

[43:58] Malky’s vision for the women’s team

[47:19] Malky’s advice for those looking to become a coach

Connect with Malky Thomson:

Pat Nevin didn't wake up one morning and decide that he wanted to be different. He just was.

Since his early childhood growing up in a tenement in Glasgow, he was raised to believe that developing through reading and deep self-exploration was a part of life. His earliest role models weren't the great football players before him, but the Glaswegian working-class men and women he admired like his brothers who studied hard and obtained degrees; and the great works of musicians who composed music simply for the joy of doing so. In this episode, Pat discusses his lessons from those musicians and his family upbringing, leading to his well-rounded outlook on life and career and why he titled his book "The Accidental Footballer."

"Now, that's the reason why I've written this book called The Accidental Footballer. It's a true honest reflection of how I felt. I liked the idea of playing football for the utter joy and love of it, and that's why I played because I love doing it."

Pat's level-head approach to the game ensured that he was prepared to walk away if the game stopped bringing him joy. The idea of standing on what feels right didn't end with his football career; Pat brought the same zeal into his career as a D.J. and Journalist.

Pat shares with The Football, Mindset, and Leadership Listeners how his personal compass has evolved with age, his thoughts on where the game is going, and advice for developing your inner compass.

● [00:00:06] We catch up with Pat Nevin

● [00:05:53] Pat explains his early childhood and the lessons that shaped him

● [00:13:12] Pat discusses how he makes difficult decisions and what he does to find peace within those decisions.

● [00:22:37] Instinct or training? Pat takes us through his career highlights and explains the one decision that every player has to make for themselves.

● [00:27:29] Pat has never believed in having "hero's." Listen to him explain why and who he most respects as masters of their craft.

● [00:29:37] How fame and material gains can take the fun away from any endeavor. Learn how Pat keeps his enthusiasm for every area of his life.

● [00:38:24] What is the difference between somebody who understands the psychology of getting the best out of people and those who don't? Pat shares his views.

● [01:05:03] Pat's advice for someone looking to make their own way in the world and his recommended book and resources.

Connect with Don MacNaughton:

The Mindset of a Winning Team with Ryan Christie

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Bournemouth and the Scotland midfielder Ryan Christie.

Ryan relates his lifelong love of football, having been immersed in the sport for as long as he can remember. He recalls an early memory of his father Charlie, a footballer and coach in his own right, taking him to the pitch and showing him the ropes near the end of his own storied career.

He shares his unique perspective as an athlete who turned his passion into a career as a youngster, not to mention the blessing of being able to counsel with his fellow pro footballer father. Coming from the Highlands, his journey saw him traveling across the country as his career progressed.

Ryan also discusses being coached by infectiously positive John “Yogi” Hughes during his early days with Celtic. “He flipped the way we played football the minute he came in,” Ryan says of him, adding that a mindset of optimism and sureness of victory was one of the greatest gifts he took away from being coached by Yogi.

Ryan also speaks on the hectic day-to-day when playing for a big club and the constant pressure to grow as a player that comes from such an environment. It is a matter, he says, of compartmentalizing your focus to avoid overwhelm—that when it was time to perform on the pitch, it was time to put personal and business issues aside until the game was over.

In addition, he talks about the dangers of social media and the importance of taking care of one’s mental health, particularly as a modern player.

“If you start relying on [social media] as your source of confidence or acceptance, it kills you,” says Ryan, speaking for himself and his fellow teammates in the premier league. “The bigger you are in the sport, the more it can affect you.”

Finally, Ryan describes the moment his team qualified for a major tournament for the first time in 22 years in the Euro 2020 play-off final against Serbia. He remembers having watched Scotland “come so close, yet so far” year after year, and humbly elates the fact that he played a part in this massive win for the country.

TIMESTAMP:

[00:43] Ryan on his lifelong love of football

[07:12] People who have influenced Ryan as a footballer

[08:57] The moment Ryan decided to become a professional

[13:13] The mindset of a champion athlete

[16:45] His early days with Celtic

[20:28] Joining Aberdeen on loan and developing his game

[29:31] The mentality a player needs to thrive with a big club

[30:59] How social media factors into the life and career of modern players

[34:11] The importance of mental health for modern players

[37:31] Ryan talks of the elation he felt when his team qualified for a major tournament

[42:06] Looking forward to his upcoming games

[43:48] The decision to move on from Celtic

[47:04] Playing in the Championship versus the premier league in Scotland

Connect with Ryan Christie:

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by former Celtic and Scotland forward Simon Donnelly.

He starts off speaking about navigating the continued challenges posed by the lockdown, saying that he is grateful for any opportunity he gets to spend time with fans or his teammates in person. “In football,” says Simon, “you can be sitting in a dressing room with teammates one minute, and you’re out the door the next like ships passing in the night.”

Simon reflects on his journey in football, saying that he’s been obsessed with the sport for as long as he can remember. His foray into football as a career began in his teen years when he joined Queen’s Park. Celtic followed shortly after that in 1993.

Asked what set him apart to be able to get accepted by Celtic, Simon says that, apart from skill, “you have to be in the right place at the right time.”

He goes on to share the highs and lows of his time with Celtic before moving to Sheffield six years later in 1999.

Simon retired as a player in 2011 and has since moved into coaching and managing. He speaks on the question of teaching game intelligence and notes his observations on the evolution of football culture and communicating the sport effectively to today’s youth.

TIMESTAMP:

[01:19]  1st Star former player events

[04:05] Incorporating his love for music into his sport

[05:05] Simon’s football journey

[09:33] How football culture amongst the youth has changed over the years

[12:22] Simon’s biggest football influences growing up

[15:59] How Simon developed the resilience to push through the toughest times in his career

[19:15] Is football becoming more entertaining today?

[21:44] What sets apart boys who are able to join pro clubs

[26:40] Simon’s first day with Celtic

[30:33] Simon’s most cherished moments with Celtic

[36:53] How much of game intelligence can be coached?

[39:43] Leaving Celtic for Sheffield in 1999

[42:18] The importance of getting out of your comfort zone and trying something new

[44:51] Simon’s experience coaching and managing

[51:28] Coaching young players today

[55:00] Simon speaks on his love for music

Connect with Simon Donnelly:

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Kenny Millar, football writer, journalist, and consultant. He talks of his journey in football writing and how players can harness social media effectively to maximise their brand and career.

“From the age of ten,” says Kenny, “I knew I wanted to be a football writer, and that was all-consuming. I’d be writing match reports from the TV.” By the time he began work at the Sunday Post a month after turning 17, Kenny had already done over 100 interviews with a wide variety of individuals in the Scottish sports industry.

After nine years with the Sunday Post, Kenny had the opportunity to join The Scottish Sun, where he remembers having to navigate Impostor Syndrome being one of the company's youngest journalists despite the years of writing experience he already had under his belt. To his pleasant surprise, however, he was given a great deal of freedom in going about his projects.

In late 2017, Kenny was unexpectedly offered a job at the SFA and, shortly after, the Scottish FA. Today, he writes for FourFourTwo Magazine as well as NutmegMagazine, in addition to his freelancing consulting work for football clubs and creative agencies.

Speaking on the role of social media in the careers of today’s players, Kenny says, “I think that social media should be a window into your professionalism.” He encourages them to exercise tact whenever they post. If done wrong, social media can ruin one’s career overnight. If done right, it can cause one’s career to skyrocket.

“What do supporters want to see? They want to see somebody who appreciates being a player. They want to see somebody who works hard and takes their craft seriously.”

TIMESTAMP:

[01:25] Are younger players missing out having not grown up playing street football with mates?

[03:29] Kenny’s football heroes

[07:08] How Kenny got into writing and journalism

[13:18] Working for the Sunday Post and developing his writing skills

[19:24] Moving on to The Scottish Sun

[25:30] Working for the SFA and the Scottish FA

[30:26] How today’s players can use social media to their advantage

[36:42] Why Kenny loves Scottish football

[41:23] Kenny’s advice to those who want to get into football writing

Connect with Kenny Millar:

Today on the podcast I am joined by Craig Brown CBE, former Director and now ambassador at the Aberdeen Football Club, as well as the former Director of Football Development and International Team Manager at the Scottish Football Association.

In the second part of our interview with Craig, we continue our conversation on lessons he has learnt from other coaches throughout his career. We also have an interesting discussion on substitutions.

“I’m unashamedly prepared to steal ideas and to ask for ideas,” says Craig, proceeding to talk of what he was able to glean from coaches, managers, and even players alike in his time. He speaks in particular of Brian Clough, whose rather unorthodox approach to coaching once saw him taking his players to a pub and buying them whisky in place of practicing.

Speaking on substitutions, Craig says that there are reasons to substitute beyond preventing poor performance and injury. For instance, it’s a form of acknowledgement when the player has scored a few goals themselves. Substitutions also reveal a lot about the player’s attitude.

Craig contends: “If you’re on that bench,” he says, “you’ve got to be a supporter as well as a substitute.”

TIMESTAMP:

[00:52] Lessons learned from other coaches and managers

[04:20] Why Brian Clough stands out

[08:04] Why bigger stars are easier to handle

[11:42] Is there a right time to tell a player when they’re dropped?

[17:06] A new perspective on substitutions

[23:43] How substitutions can tell you a lot about the player

Connect with Craig Brown:

Today on the podcast I am joined by Gordon Forrest, Assistant Manager of Heart of Midlothian Football Club. He has coached in Scotland, New Zealand and in Canada, where he was with Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

As the sport evolves, having well-thought-out infrastructure in place has become extremely important to the individual development of today’s players. Gordon touches on the fundamentals of a great club and how his own travels as a coach to other countries opened his mind to ways of improving the player experience back home.

Gordon takes us through his globe-trotting journey as a coach and how his almost nonstop eight-year career overseas shaped his approach to leading players. He says that, upon returning to Scotland, he had a greater appreciation for the footballer as a person and how understanding individual circumstances opens the doors to more effective coaching.

He also gives his thoughts on how football clubs can meet the individual needs of players, particular in the four key developmental areas of their technical, tactical, physical, and the mental capabilities. Finally, he offers his best advice to young coaches.

TIMESTAMP:

[00:20] Gordon reflects on a successful season at Heart

[02:27] The importance of infrastructure in modern football

[03:36] Gordon on his travels as a coach

[07:18] Where Gordon developed his desire to be a coach

[11:31] Gordon on moving to New Zealand with his young family and the cultural differences

[16:02] Gordon’s experience at the Olympics

[21:40] Coaching in MLS

[25:07] How Gordon’s time in Vancouver shaped his coaching

[28:11] Coming back to Scotland after being constantly on the road for eight years

[30:57] How the sport and culture of football had changed since Gordon first left Scotland

[33:50] The challenges of football clubs in meeting the individual needs of the player

[37:53] The different nuances of coaching young players in different countries

[42:42] Gordon’s advice for young coaches

Connect with Gordon Forrest:

 Darren O'Dea on Football, Change and Mindset

Today on the podcast I am joined by Celtic F.C U18 coach Darren O'Dea. He speaks about his love of sport and football and the lessons learned playing around the world.

Darren opens the conversation describing his return to playing football after some time since the lockdowns and the importance of habits, consistency, and taking ownership for anybody looking to continue practicing their sport in spite of challenges like the pandemic. He extends this lesson to the world of athletes in general.

We then talk about the value of the formative experience of street football to future professional athletes and how the culture of the sport is affected when that is sorely missing.

Darren goes on to talk about how “football found him” and how to build a mindset of an athlete destined for success. He also explains why building relationships is one of the most important things a coach can do, the nuances of coaching younger players, and what he learned about the importance of adapting to different environments after his travels to multiple countries.

TIMESTAMP:

[00:21] Darren talks about the importance of taking ownership of your career as an athlete

[03:15] Darren’s role models growing up and developing himself as a footballer

[07:48] Is the positive influence of street football missing in today’s professional games?

[10:58] The transferability of skills between different sports

[13:05] Why it pays in the future to not be the “best” in your sport in the beginning

[18:56] The moment Darren decided he would become a footballer and the first few tough years

[34:10] Honing your mindset to thrive as a budding athlete

[39:30] The importance of building relationships as a coach

[44:17] Why Darren loves basking in the energy of his teammates

[46:04] The nuances of communicating with today’s generation of players

[53:30] Lessons Darren has learned throughout his travels to different countries

Connect with Darren O’Dea:

Today on the podcast I am joined by Craig Mulholland, Academy Director at Rangers Football Club.

Craig explains that the pandemic has obviously caused many a plan to change in the world of football; but more than that, a stronger culture of introspection and the development of individual players has slowly grown amid the lockdowns.

“Every player,” says Craig, “has an individual plan and an individual path.” His challenge as Head of Academy is now, more than ever, to foster a “you versus you” mentality and find out “what you need to be an expert at. What does a player have? What does a player need? And what journey do they need to go on?”

It’s a theme that reverberates throughout the rest of our conversation. Listen in as Craig goes on to share his excitement for “The Colts” project and the resistance that he continues to face with regards to its implementation. He also touches on his vision for the Academy when he first became Director, how that developed over the years, and why he strongly believes in being unafraid to challenge norms and putting the player as a person first.

TIMESTAMP:

[01:06] Every player’s journey is different

[06:37] A primer on “The Colts” project

[14:08] Craig’s role models as an Academy Director

[18:55] How an Academy Director should relay information to players in a digestible way

[22:05] Raising coaching standards in Scotland

[27:38] Craig’s vision for the Academy when he first became Director

[32:19] Challenging norms

[36:43] Getting young players to accept short-term defeat and focus on long-term success

[40:16] Fighting pressure to rely on tradition at the expense of improving with the times

[43:09] Characteristics of the veteran coach

[48:24] How coaches can connect with young players

Connect with Craig Mulholland:

Today on the podcast I am joined by Gary Gibson, Head of Soccer Academies & International Relations at Rangers Football Club in Glasgow.

As a global brand, Rangers F.C. always strives to stay “in the mix” with every other European football club with an international program. Currently, the club is in ten countries: the U.S., Canada, Dubai, Qatar, India, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, and Indonesia.

From tried-and-true coaching camps to a brand new online academy, Rangers F.C. is relentlessly adapting to the new normal in order to give the growing global community access to the same resources and be on the same page with today’s best practices.

“When you have these conversations,” relates Gary, regarding a career built on relationships, “you’re actually showing that you care. This isn’t just about us putting a badge on or taking on another club and saying we have a partnership. It’s much deeper than that. There are so many people involved.”

TIMESTAMP:

[01:10] The international dimension of Rangers Football Club

[04:32] Driving soccer academy relationships globally

[08:00] Launching the online academy

[10:11] Nurturing a relationship with the Indian football market

[14:06] How Gary moved into his current role

[17:33] How Gary got into football and entered the professional sports world

[21:28] Becoming an HND sports coach

[23:52] Getting into the commercial side of football

[25:10] The business of developing people

[26:06] How the commercial side of Rangers F.C. will continue to develop as partnerships grow

[28:24] How to contact Gary or Rangers F.C. for a potential partnership

Connect with Gary Gibson:

Today on the podcast I am joined by current Crusaders F.C. Centre Half, Aidan Wilson.

Aidan played in a variety of sports as a boy from tennis to football, although always keeping his focus on football the knowledge and skills he gained through the other sports, proved to be an advantage.

Success at sport all comes back to one thing, knowing and mastering the fundamentals Aidan credits this to his time as part of the Rangers FC Pro youth set up.

As we continue on in the interview Aiden shares with us his firsthand experience of making his debut for Rangers at Ibrox and also starting his very own coaching business with the intention of passing on his insights of the game onto future generations of players.

TIMESTAMP:

[00:06] Introduction to Aidan Wilson

[01:20] Getting into football as a kid

[02:34] Transferring skills from other sports to football

[06:32] Joining the Rangers F.C. academy

[08:16] Coaches who have been an influence in your career

[10:01] Mastering the fundamentals

[11:56] Holding the fundamentals while under pressure

[13:01] Making debut for Rangers F.C.

[15:42] Recognizing you had a chance in football

[18:21] The importance of having a support system around you for the journey

[20:31] People see the top but not the work that it took to get there

[30:50] Playing for Crusaders/Starting own coaching business

[35:01] Connect with Aiden

[35:50] Outro

Connect with Aiden Wilson:

Today I have the opportunity to speak with “Braveheart” himself, Colin Hendry. Colin is a giant in his own right, with a career spanning over 20 years as a player. Colin began his professional career with Dundee in 1983 as a striker before after cementing himself as an exceptionally effective and impressive center-half. He went on to play for clubs like Blackburn Rovers winning the Premier League and the treble with Glasgow Rangers. Coming from a household with a hard-working father had a big impact on Colin’s approach to both life and football. He showed the gritty working-class characteristics of hard work and never giving up throughout his career.

In this episode, Colin shares with us some of the highlights of his playing career. From the feeling of scoring the winning goal at Wembley in front of tens of thousands of fans including his father who watched him play with pride to the pinnacle of his international playing career came when he captained for Scotland International during the 1998 World Cup.

While he was giving it his all mentally, physically his body was feeling the effects season by season of playing such a physically demanding position. With the total number of operations reaching into the 20s Colin was no longer able to perform at the high level he was used too and as a result, came the end of his playing days a hard path for most professional athletes.

Make sure to stay with us as Colin continues to share his footballing journey.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:06] Introduction to Colin Hendry

[01:23] Influences growing up in Keith

[07:08] Football the only game in town

[08:17] Route into the professional game

[12:57] Playing differences in Dundee vs. Blackburn

[14:34] How it felt walking out into Wembley Stadium

[15:57] Why towns in the north of England have huge football heritage

[19:05] Reflecting on sacrifices made by his family for his playing career

[21:14] Getting the most out of your talent

[24:27] Being a part of the great Blackburn Rovers Premier League Championship team

[25:58] Feeling yourself getting better as a team

[27:11] Playing for your childhood hero

[31:26] Fondest memories of that time

[33:21] Low tech training facilities

[37:35] Highlights of a Scotland career

[39:41] Captaining Scotland in the opening game of World Cup 98 against the mighty Brazil

[42:25] Reaching the end of a golden age in Scottish football

[44:37] Advice for young players who are pursuing football

[46:27] Outro

Connect with Colin Hendry

In today's episode, we are joined by a true Scottish great in the world of football former Scottish International manager Craig Brown C.B.E. who was Scotland national manager between 1993 and 2001 and led Scotland to both the Euro 96 and World Cup 98 championships becoming the longest-serving Scotland manager.

Craig takes us back to when he was a boy playing football in the park just for the love of playing, not knowing he would grow up to become a professional in the sport and a huge influence in its coaching philosophy.

One of Craig’s favourite memories within the game is playing for the Scotland u15 schoolboy team in consecutive years where he played with two Scottish football legends. Men who later on ended up winning the European cup one as a player and one as a manager.

While playing professionally with the famous Dundee F.C. team under Bob Shankly, Craig and his teammates were encouraged to head to Larg’s to participate in the S.F.A coaching licenses to improve their knowledge of the game.

With his plating experience, educational background, and coaching knowledge he was able to transition into coaching full time impacting the philosophy of coaching within the country before becoming Scotland National team manager.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:39] Introduction to Craig Brown C.B.E

[04:29] Influence Scottish heavy industry had on Scottish football and its coaching philosophy

[10:24] Why Scotland traditionally has produced many good players

[12:56] Did you always want to be a professional football player?

[14:07] When did you see yourself getting a break as a player

[19:42] Making the transition from a player into coaching

[32:29] Learning coaching as a way to gain knowledge of the game

[36:09] Scottish coaching and the new modern approach to the game

[40:10] Having a huge influence in coaching philosophy and approach

[44:21] Working as the Scotland national manager

[51:56] How important is it for a coach to get the buy-in from the players

[54:13] Personal coaching highlights

FIND CRAIG BROWN C.B.E.

In today’s episode we are joined by a 30-year “Coerver Coaching” veteran, Gordon Craig. Gordon has been a director in both Scotland and Portugal, traveled all over the world teaching Coerver, and has even created a Coerver Players Club for young adults.

Gordon shares with us a detailed rundown on important concepts to know when coaching Coerver. From analyzing players to achieving ball mastery the science behind learning proves to be a feat anyone can attain, with the proper training of course. To learn more about this style of coaching make sure you stick around as Gordon shares with us various platforms where you can connect with other Coerver enthusiasts.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00] Introduction to Gordon Craig

[06:44] What Coerver is about

[10:16] Developing ball mastery with players

[14:22] How has coaching and the game changed in the last 10 years

[18:17] Approaching coaching during Covid

[22:18] Coaching young players

[25:04] Making an impact as a coach to young players

[26:44] Where to learn more about coerver coaching

[30:37] Connect with Gordon

RELATED RESOURCES

Today we speak with former football player and now Aberdeen F.C. reserve coach, Paul Sheerin. Paul shares with us whom his biggest motivator was from adolescence into adulthood, his father. As a lover of football himself, Paul’s father instilled crucial values in him at a young age that later proved to have a huge impact such as building discipline in training, providing not only encouragement but also constructive criticism. Though not always being open to such feedback as a young player in the end it helped him develop into a truly resilient coach and player. To learn more on Paul story and background you don’t want to miss this!

TIMESTAMPS

[00:06] Introduction to Paul Sheerin

[04:17] How modern technology if competing for young players attentions

[05:33] Having your father an influence in coaching

[07:16] The importance of instilling good values for hard work and disciple

[11:21] When did you realize you had a shot in making it in professional football

[16:09] Maintaining the love for them game

[17:20] Nurturing the love of the game

[19:02] What coaches had the biggest impact for you

[20:28] Changes going from Scotland to England

[23:31] How upbringing has an impact

[27:11] Some highlights in your playing career

[28:57] Did you always want to coach

[33:09] Do you think the game has changed form when you were a player

[39:49] Advice for players entering coaching

[40:49] Goals moving forward

[43:04] Outro

CONNECT WITH DON MACNAUGHTON

Today we speak with former Scottish international midfielder John Collins on a key concept we often do not prioritize but is essential to the game and every facet of life, that of being confident. John shares with us not only what it means to be confident but also how to achieve that sense of feeling. One of the fundamental points we discuss is the importance of preparedness. Being prepared serves as a foundation for the skill set you wish to acquire as a player. However, as a coach that responsibly is enhanced since we are the ones to identify not only their strengths but weaknesses as well. To learn more stay tuned as we discuss many more topics on how to build confidence.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:08] Introduction to John Collins

[03:42] Preparation is everything

[05:18] How to build confidence in players as a coach

[07:36] Recording yourself in video clips to watch later

[11:30] Having an attention to detail

[14:09] Keeping confidence in a tight situation

[17:42] Learn from the best to be the best

[19:52] Outro

LEARN MORE ABOUT JOHN COLLINS

We are joined today by current Western Sydney Wanderers manager, Carl Robinson. Carl and I discuss his background as a player and how that knowledge transitioned into his coaching. As a player Carl displayed managerial qualities, one in particular being encouraging players around him to do better individually and as a collective. From this he understood that coaching was the most logical path to take, post footballer.

As a manger now Carl has had the opportunity to meet and learn from the world’s best coaches, nonetheless his number one takeaway is do not always apply prior information learned from other coaches into your managerial style. It’s sounds contradictory but you’ll have to stay tuned as to why this logic has propelled him to be the manager we know today.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:06] Introduction to Carl Robinson

[02:21] How the game in Australia is developing

[03:59] How football is competing with other sports

[05:31] Who influenced you most when you were playing

[09:22] Did you always want to go into coaching

[12:11] How a helicopter view of the game helps you improve

[13:29] Transitioning from player to coach

[15:03] Biggest challenge and changes going from assistant to manager

[21:39] Changes of complexity in the game

[26:45] Trusting your instinct as a manager

[27:17] How has the game changed

[29:11] Starting at an early age

[31:02] Making time to get acquainted with every player

[34:41] Future goals as a manager

[37:40] Outro

CONNECT WITH CARL

Today we are joined by Jesse Marsch, a 14-year long-playing career in the MLS and now Head Coach for Red Bull Salzburg. Starting off his coaching career as an assistant in the U.S. National in the 2010 World Cup Jesse made his way into European football and learned and grounded himself into the culture. Jesse shares with us some key principles he brings to the game, most importantly bringing an element of fun and showing mindfulness towards the players. Stay with us as we delve deeper into modern coaching and how it plays with emotional intelligence.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00] Introduction to Jesse Marsch

[02:39] Difference between Red Bull network in America vs Europe

[06:52] What are some key elements you have to bring to a club to make it fun

[10:10] The importance of emotional intelligence in modern coaching

[11:31] Evolving from player to coach

[15:35] Having a plan

[17:32] Vulnerability in coaching

[21:11] Being vulnerable with the players

[22:12] Guidance for young coaches coming into the game.

[24:29] Outro

WHERE TO FIND JESSE

Today I speak with Alastair Campbell; an author, broadcaster,  political communicator, and also a powerful advocate for mental health. He shares with us a few core habits he practices to maintain his mental health on a day to day basis. Equally, we go into the emergence of clubs alongside G.B. industrialization and how that played a large role in forming an identity amongst the working class. Alongside, as we see ourselves veering into the new year with Covid still on our hands the relationship between fans and football has proven to be essential to keep a sense of not only community but also mental health.

Make sure to stay with us as we delve deeper into who Alastair thinks is the best player, some debate between Messi and Ronaldo, and of course the connection between fans and football.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:08] Introduction to Alastair Campbell

[04:58] Burnley reaching the Premier League despite the size of its population

[06:55] Yorkshire and Lancashire as a hotbed for football

[08:12] How did you develop your love for football

[10:22] Football & industrialization

[12:35] Burnley maintaining their strong relationship with the town

[15:19] The importance of mental health

[19:34] The connection between fans and football

[24:05] Football being everywhere

[26:30] Best players you’ve seen

[32:17] Playing with Maradona and Pele

[32:52] Who is the greatest player

[36:45] Messi vs Ronaldo

[38:08] Key concepts to maintain mental health

[42:05] Outro

Connect with Alastair Campbell:

Today our guest is Head of Senior Academy at Rangers and my good friend, David McCallum. David takes this opportunity to share with us important principles to have in mind when wanting to reach your desired goal as a player, one being getting out of your comfort zone. In addition to that he puts an emphasis on the importance of developing players by offering support, motivation, and constructive criticism in order to improve their skill and tenacity. Finally, David walks us through his career as a coach, from where it started to how he reached the level he is in today. Make sure you stick around for this one!

TIMESTAMPS

[00:09] Introduction to David McCallum

[01:36] How important is it for players to challenge themselves

[03:24] Getting into football as a kid

[04:39] Who influenced you the most

[08:43] How being thoughtful as a player translates into coaching

[13:27] Taking an interest in coaching

[16:48] How the club helps develop players

[20:38] Seeing the game change as a coach

[23:13] Players waiting for their opportunity

[25:03] Key moments of everything coming together as a coach

[28:38] Highlights of coaching career

[32:17] Advice for aspiring coaches

[37:04] Outro

Connect with David McCallum:

We are joined today by my friend and Head of Academy Coaching at Aberdeen, Gavin Levey. Being a fanatic of football and various other sports Gavin was able to become a coach without taking the conventional path of being a professional player first. From a young age Gavin showed resilience in all his endeavors, so much so that even after becoming disillusioned in being a professional player the opportunity to coach was presented and a passion in helping players improve their skills was born.

Gavin is now in his third role at Aberdeen and continuing to grow his coach education to build a strong future for his players

TIMESTAMPS

[00:06] Introduction to Gavin Levey

[00:42] Getting into football

[01:43] Playing other sports while young

[03:25] Instilling a love for the game

[04:31] Getting into football as a career

[06:18] Being strategic in your thinking

[09:46] Serendipity in life

[14:32] Recognizing you’re on the right path

[17:18] Pursuing coaching as a career

[20:12] You don’t need to be a player to be an excellent coach

[22:18] Having a curiosity to master your craft

[24:47] Role now in Aberdeen

[32:04] Advice for people who want to make coaching a career

[35:36] Where to find Gavin Levey

[36:59] Outro

Connect with Gavin Levey:

In today’s episode, I have the opportunity to speak with Stephen McManus. Stephan is a current Celtic Reserve team coach and has played with the club as well as Middlesbrough and Motherwell. From a young age, he always loved football and would play in the street though often would be with older mates. Because of the age and size difference between the boys, this was a limitation but in the end, it massively improved skills and awareness. Having to work twice as hard Stephen developed some great principles and would hold him in good stead throughout his career these include; discipline, sacrifice, dedication, resilience, and ability to problem solve amongst many others.

As we go on Stephen shares his thoughts on building relationships with teammates and coaches as well as his experience playing with Celtic.

Continue to follow as we go in-depth for this episode!

TIMESTAMPS

[00:06] Introduction to Stephen McManus

[01:41] Getting into football as a boy

[03:06] Playing with older mates

[07:06] Realizing you want to be a pro player

[10:52] What was it like being a part of the Celtic youth set up

[12:44] The importance of having a strong influence to help you develop

[16:04] Trusting your parents through teenage years

[19:49] Having resilience as a player

[20:52] Discipline in preparation

[24:42] Being a problem solver

[25:51] Coaches that influenced you

[28:42] Highlights from playing days

[31:14] Taking nothing for granted

[32:54] Setting short term goals for yourself

[39:06] Building relationships with teammates and coaches

[41:44] Making the transition from player to coach

[49:07] Advice for young players

[50:08] Outro

Connect with Stephen McManus:

I am joined today by Scottish International midfielder Charlie Adam who is currently playing for his boyhood club Dundee F.C. Charlie has played for clubs like Glasgow Rangers, Liverpool, and Blackpool. Charlie gives us a bit of his backstory from how he became interested in football as kid through his dad to when he got his first big break as a professional on loan from Rangers at St. Mirren. As he climbed the professional football ladder Charlie continued working hard to improve all the while maintaining a winning mentality and an internal drive to improve. And these mindsets combined results in the player we know today. Make sure to stay with us as we delve deeper.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:06] Introduction to Charlie Adam

[01:42] Getting into football

[02:57] The importance of having support

[08:34] Coaches that influenced you

[09:26] Working through self-doubt

[11:36] Getting you first big break

[14:11] Coaches that helped improve your skills

[15:31] An internal drive to be better

[19:52] Playing in England

[22:50] Learning from every club

[24:06] Developing a winning mentality

[27:01] Enjoying coaching

[27:41] Advice for young players

[28:26] Outro

Connect with Charlie Adam:

SUMMARY

Today I have the opportunity to speak with Greig Paterson who is currently the Head of Coach Education & Development in Scottish F.A. Greig began his career in coach education in Glasgow as a development officer and was quickly promoted to run the coach education programs. In this episode, we discuss some of the differences in coaching across Europe. He also shares with us of a few of the tactical advantages players have when introduced to coaching at a younger age as well as how coaching has changed over the years. For a more in-depth look at Greig’s journey through coach education make sure to stay tuned!

TIMESTAMPS

[00:06] Introduction to Greig Paterson

[01:31] Getting into coaching education

[03:16] The learning experience

[05:02] The numerous skills needed for coach education

[07:11] Differences in how countries approach coach education

[11:31] Changes you’ve noticed in coach education over the years

[15:29] Varied ages in coaches

[20:15] Current role at SFA

[23:11] Advice for people starting their coaching journey

[26:12] Find out about SFA

[28:18] Outro

Connect with Greig Paterson:

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Connect with Don MacNaughton:

SUMMARY

Today I speak with Technical Director of Right to Dream Frazer Robertson At 16 he volunteered to help a local team and from there worked hard to become a coach. Although he never saw himself pursuing coaching professional Frazer was presented with the opportunity to Coach in Ghana for the Right to DreamAcademy. In the episode Frazer shares with us a few of the culture shocks he experienced both in football and everyday life along with a few principles he learned that are now applied to his coaching.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:06] Introduction to Frazer Robertson

[01:02] Getting into football

[03:44] Did you see coaching as a career

[05:30] Putting in hours to learn your trade

[07:36] Journey to Right to Dream Academy

[09:50] The academy and how it is set up

[11:27] Different approaches to the game

[18:40] Learning in Ghana and applying that to coaching

[23:22] Keeping enthusiasm for coaching

[24:20] Advice for coaches transitioning into different cultures

[29:38] Outro

Connect with Frazer Robertson:

SUMMARY:

We are joined today by former Scottish football player of Thai Port in Thailand and now Co-Founder of the clothing line Bee Inspired, Steven Robb. Wanting a change of scenery from Scotland in his career Steven signed a two-year contract and went on to play abroad to Thailand. During his time there he enjoyed the 180° lifestyle switch of warm weather and simple pleasure like wearing shorts every day. Nonetheless, the feeling of being homesick still loomed over as well as the uncertainty of what was to come post-football. Upon reaching the end of his contract Steven began brainstorming ways to make a living and always having an entrepreneurial mindset the idea of starting a business was at the forefront.

In this episode, Steven shares with us some adversities he encountered both as a player and business owner yet was able to turn that into opportunity through resilience and discipline. Make sure to join us as we delve deeper into Steven’s journey!

TIMESTAMPS:

[00:06] Introduction to Steven Robb

[01:09] From football player to clothing line owner

[05:51] Playing abroad in Thailand

[08:39] Being an entrepreneurial thinker

[09:52] Origins of Bee Inspired

[12:15] Playing football while starting a business

[18:25] Transitioning from player to another career

[20:17] Having emotional intelligence for business

[21:39] Finding creativity everywhere you go

[26:35] Future goals for Bee Inspired

[28:36] Advice for players transitioning out of football

[29:46] Connect with Steven Robb

[30:46] Outro

Connect with Steven Robb:

SUMMARY

On this episode we speak with Steven Gunn who is currently the head of football operations at Aberdeen football club. Steven came to live in Aberdeen at 17 to begin his business course at Robert Gordon University. A few years into university an opportunity became available for a role in Aberdeen and already a lover of football, Steven jumped at the chance. Through out the show he shares with us some tactics and principles he used to land his first job as a football coordinator in addition to how these strategies developed into 20 years of experience at Aberdeen FC. You won’t want to miss this!

TIMESTAMPS

[00:06] Introduction to Steven Gunn

[01:52] Getting into the business side of football club

[05:45] First job at Aberdeen FC

[08:12] Was the job what you expected

[10:10] Role at Aberdeen and how it developed in the last 20 years

[14:04] Business in football vs. regular business

[19:01] Advice for people who is looking to get into football

[23:51] Outro

Connect with Steven Gunn:

Today on the podcast we are joined by UEFA Pro licensed coach,  Roma u17 Head Coach Fabrizio Piccareta. On this episode Fabrizio and I speak a great deal on conceptual observations including how the game of football has developed over the years, the power of forming relationship with players while having empathy, and the increase in knowledge a player is expected to learn. Being a part of an ever-evolving sport includes adapting to new perspectives on ways to improves the game. Fabrizio reveals to us what he has noticed as a major change in the game, that being that positions are no longer important and has since been replaced with fluidity meaning players are now aware of every player on the field while simultaneously keeping focus of their current position. With the added responsibly of the player comes additional responsibility for coaches/managers as well. Creating emotional connections with an added dose of empathy is just one of many principles modern coaches are using in order build a successful team. We have only scratched barely the surface of the insight Fabrizio shares with us so stick around to learn more!

TIMSTAMPS

[00:06] Introduction to Fabrizio Piccareta

[01:01] Influences as player

[05:47] Noticing a development in how football is being played

[08:25] Creating cohesiveness in playing environments

[10:51] Having a relationship to space

[13:14] Increase in game intelligence

[16:57] Relationship between conscious vs unconscious mind

[18:33] Creating emotional connections with players

[19:37] The power of the relationship between player and coach

[21:12] Having empathy for player

[23:42] Creating a safe environment to express talent

[25:38] Confidence is nothing without competency

[30:57] Curiosity in football

[33:32] Adopting ideas from different areas and applying them to your own

[36:08] Connect with Fabrizio

[37:10] Outro

Connect with Fabrizio Piccareta