Building site was a likelier future for me than football
SAYS KEITH LASLEY
HANDED his big break in a trial by Motherwell at 19, an unconvinced Keith Lasley suspected the only bright lights awaiting him were those needing fixed on the building sites of Glasgow.
Looking around the Fir Park dressing room and seeing the likes of John Spencer, Don Goodman, and Andy Goram staring back at him, the teenager thought he would be back working as a qualified electrician within months.
But an impressive debut at Ibrox in December 2000 against a Rangers midfield boasting Barry Ferguson, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Jorg Albertz eased the nerves and boosted his confidence.
Lasley would go on to become a vital spark for Motherwell during the best sustained period in their modern history.
Over the course of almost 500 appearances in two spells, he helped them become Scotland’s second force in 2013-14 during Rangers’ absence from the top flight.
He skippered them to a Scottish Cup final, regular European qualification, and had the honour of leading them out in the Champions League qualifiers against Panathinaikos at Fir Park and the Olympic Stadium in Athens.
Now, after a career spanning 18 years, the 37-year-old has hung up his boots to take over as right-hand man to boss Stephen Robinson.
And he retires having packed more into his playing career than that teenage electrician ever thought possible.
‘Everybody knows I came here from a building site and I was thinking I’d be back there within six months,’ recalled Lasley.
‘I was a qualified electrician, working in various establishments and factories in Glasgow, when I got the call from Billy Davies to come in for a trial.
‘It was a late time for me to come into the game but the trial went well. At that point I was still thinking I’d be a footballer for a year then go back to my old job.
‘So to look back on being captain of the club, playing so many times, European football, cup finals and now being coach-assistant manager — it’s incredible, beyond all expectation. I’ve had to break my retirement gently to my kids. The first thing my wee boy asked was who is getting my No 14 jersey next season. I nearly started crying. He’s No 14 for his wee boys’ club. But there’s nobody filling the 14 jersey at the moment — and I’m going to try and keep it that way!
‘There’s definitely a sadness I won’t be pulling on that jersey again. But I’m also very thankful I had the opportunity. It’s been amazing.
‘Just getting a chance to play for this club was fantastic and a real privilege. I’ve grown to love this place. Now I’ve got an incredible opportunity.’
Lasley is enjoying not having to do the pre-season bleep tests for the first time in nearly two decades.
Leaving behind his spot in the dressing room has proven tough, though. The captaincy goes to Carl McHugh and Lasley admits relationships with former team-mates will now alter through necessity.
‘I’ve had the same corner of the dressing room for years. My wee shrine,’ he laughed. ‘There’s a wee walking stick at my place with my slippers. That will now be filled. But we’ve got to move on. As I go out one end another young lad comes in at the other.
‘I’ve crossed over to the dark side now. I’ve got a good relationship with the senior players and the younger boys, too. I hope that’s not going to change.
‘But I know it has to change to a certain extent and I want it to.
‘I hope the level of respect both ways will stay the same. I don’t instantly want respect just because I’m a coach. I need to earn it by showing them I can do the job.’
Lasley’s appearances last season automatically triggered a playing contract for another 12 months. His decision to become a coach instead means a pay cut, which he hopes reflects his commitment to his new role.
‘I’m looking forward to coaching,’ he added. ‘This has not been an overnight decision. I’m very passionate about it and I’ve been doing my badges since I was 26.
‘I know how precarious a management role can be but outweighing that is my passion and ambition to be good at it.
‘But come back and see me in six months. I might be baldy with a fat belly and ready for chucking it. But, right now, I’m full of enthusiasm.’