Star who dared to cross Rangers and Celtic divide reveals which rival he 'appreciated' playing for most

Former Scotland defender Steven Pressley has claimed that he enjoyed his time at Celtic more than Rangers due to one key factor.

Pressley is one of just a handful of players to have tasted success in the Premiership with both Rangers and Celtic during an impressive 19-year career which spanned between 1990 and 2009.

He progressed through the Light Blues academy as a youngster and formed a small part of Walter Smith’s title-winning teams at Ibrox in both 1993 and 1994, making a combined total of 34 league appearances in four years.

Pressley enjoyed impressive spells at the likes of Coventry City, Dundee United and most notably Hearts, where he captained the team to success in the 2006 Scottish Cup final, before once again returning to Glasgow, this time with Celtic.

The defender formed a part of Gordon Strachan’s Celtic team which won the 2007 Scottish Cup, making him the first player to achieve the feat with both Glasgow clubs. He also helped the team to the league title in the same season as he pipped his former employers Rangers to glory.

The Elgin born defender played just two seasons at Parkhead before ending his career at Falkirk in 2009.

Pressley ultimately spent more than double the amount of time at Rangers than he did at Celtic during his career, but claims that he appreciated his time more at Parkhead due to his maturity.

He explained to Record Sport: “Going to Celtic and getting the opportunity to win trophies was something that I was very fortunate to do.

“When I left Hearts, the interesting thing is, when I left Hearts, the intention was to go to England. I’d agreed in principle to go to Charlton and only changed my mind because my wife had just had her second child. And then Gordon [Strachan] chased me, and I chose to go there.

“But it was a great experience for me. I was there for two years. I played alongside some terrific players.

“Also, I worked with Gordon, who I have the utmost respect for as a coach and a person. So, it was a great time, and Celtic as a club treated me brilliantly. It honestly was a great experience for myself.

“And it was one that I appreciated a lot more than when I was at Rangers. Just because of my age and my experience in the game.”