AARONLOOKS DADCERTTO BEASUCCESS
SCOTLAND U21 v KAZAKHSTAN U21
TONIGHT, 7.05PM, TANNADICE
AARON PRESSLEY has a mighty similar look to his ex-Scotland international father Steven.
He’s got the same east coast tone too and when it comes to football he shares the same aggression that made his old man a success at Hearts, Dundee United, Celtic and Rangers.
The 6ft 2in Scotland Under-21 new boy insists that’s where the similarities end as he sets out to carve a name for himself.
Pressley has been called up to Scot Gemmill’s squad for tonight’s Euro qualifier at his dad’s old Tannadice stomping ground after shining on loan at AFC Wimbledon from Brentford.
The striker may play at the opposite end of the pitch from his dad but that means his best footballing education started at home, only not in the back garden.
Pressley said: “None of that. I’d bully him to be fair!
“He watches most of my games when he can. I don’t see what he sees because as a defender he views it from that perspective.
“He gives me tips on being harder to play against, some things I can tweak to take my game to the next level.
“He’s honest with me but also allows me to make my own decisions.
“Obviously I want to be my own player and I’m completely opposite to him as a striker but I do have that aggressive side.
“I can bring good link-up play. I can press, move in behind and I will give this side something different.”
Pressley is too young to remember most of his dad’s highlights although he was a mascot when Hearts won the 2006 Scottish Cup.
The 20-year-old was brought up a Scotland fan and attending the 2-2 World Cup qualifying draw with England at Hampden four years ago fuelled his desire to play for his country.
He hopes a first Under-21 call-up can be the start of that journey as the young guns look to pick up a first victory of the campaign at the third time of asking.
Pressley said: “I was at Hampden when Leigh Griffiths scored his two free-kicks. You go from celebrating then they scored in the last minute so it was not ideal.
“Watching that made me think how good it would be to play for Scotland.
“I played at Under-16s and 17s and now this has come about. I actually never knew I’d been called up until I saw it on Twitter.
“Dapo Mebude, who is at Wimbledon with me, told me I was in the squad.
“It was a strange way to find out but I didn’t mind. It’s really exciting.”
Having to emerge from the shadow of a famous footballing father is a trait shared by Under-21 boss Gemmill and Pressley hopes that understanding will help him in the coming days.
He said: “He was in a similar situation so it’s good for me. Dad is coming to watch. It will be nice to play at Tannadice the first time.”