NO FAVOURITES
Hartley: We would back any player in trouble
PAUL HARTLEY is adamant that Paul McGowan is on his last chance at Dundee after being convicted of police assault for a third time.
Yesterday, however, the Dens Park boss was equally forceful in refuting the widespread notion that only the 27-year-old midfielder’s considerable talents have saved him from being shown the door by the Premiership club.
In the wake of the Dark Blues’ decision to stand by their man, Hartley has heard various suggestions that a less-gifted footballer would not have been afforded the same chance f or rehabilitation that McGowan will enjoy after escaping a jail sentence.
As a former high-profile player himself with Hearts, Celtic and Scotland, Hartley (below) is well aware that players tend to be viewed by society as role models. As a human being capable of empathy, however, he also acknowledges the fact that people make mistakes.
And, most importantly, Hartley says he detects in McGowan a genuine sense of remorse and a desire to turn his life around by seeking help for his problems with gambling and drinking.
‘Paul McGowan has been the name on everybody’s lips over the last few weeks and I think everybody has had their say on him,’ he said. ‘I have heard some people say that if it was any other player — or a youngster — then we would have just got rid of him. But that is not the case.
‘We would have backed any player. Our decision would have still been the same.
‘Of course we don’t condone what Paul did, but he is one of our players and we need to help him. People make mistakes.
‘Yes, this has happened too many times to Paul but, as a manager, I am here to back him 100 per cent.
‘I have spoken to him over the last six months and I have told him what he needs to do and that he needs to change his ways. We will try to help him along the way.
‘The fact of the matter is that players are role models. Everything a footballer does wrong away from the park brings front-page headlines. And the players have to understand that. Not just Paul, but the entire squad that we have here.
‘Every player in Scottish football has to understand that they have to be professional and that they can’t get caught up in things.
‘I don’t know how big gambling is in Scottish football but you don’t want players throwing their money away. You want them living like professional footballers.
‘Gambling is an illness, and one of the hardest to overcome, but Paul is now getting help.
‘Paul knows he shouldn’t have done what he did. But he also knows he will need to change his ways because it is his last chance, basically.’
McGowan was given support when he appeared at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week by Dundee director John Nelms and team- mates James McPake and Jim McAlister.
And Hartley admitted the prospect of his star player ending up behind bars last week had more than crossed his mind.
Having known the player since their days together at Celtic Park, however, Hartley is adamant the midfielder who has attacked three police officers is a man with demons to battle but not inherently a bad person.
‘Did I expect him to go to jail? I thought it was touch and go, to be honest with you,’ he said.
‘When we got the verdict, we were delighted but we all know that the hard work for Paul starts now. He’s not a bad lad. A lot of people won’t really know him but I have worked with him over the last year and I also knew him at Celtic. He’s just been foolish.
‘I hope he’s a better man for this because (the threat of jail) has given him a real fright. He understands he needs to change his life and his lifestyle.
‘We can help him but he has t o be t he person who changes himself. We can’t watch our players 24/7 when they leave Dens Park. It’s impossible. You can’t live their lives for them either.
‘ Paul needed to t ake more re s ponsibility and act more professionally. But he has changed his ways over the last couple of months because, basically, he has had to.’
Football crowds can be notoriously cruel and unforgiving to players suffering addictions and towards those who have fallen foul of the law.
McGowan ticks both boxes but Hartley does not believe that being the target of abuse from fans will faze him when he eventually returns to the first team.
‘No, it won’t bother him because he has been getting it for the last six months,’ said the Dens boss. ‘ He handles it well. He is actually at his best when he is out on the pitch. His release during this whole time has come from playing football and coming into training every day. ‘He is a fantastic trainer and I mean that. If you ask any of our staff, they will tell you he always gives 100 per cent. The fans love him here because he j ust gives you absolutely everything.
‘That is what I am looking for in a professional footballer. Away from the park, we do not condone what he has done but he has sought help and he knows he needs to change.’
“The hard work for Paul
starts now. He’s not a bad
lad. He’s just been foolish”