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Celtic win race to sign Pressley Celtic win race to sign Pressley
(about 4 hours later)
Celtic have won the race to sign Scotland defender Steven Pressley.Celtic have won the race to sign Scotland defender Steven Pressley.
The former Hearts captain, 33, who had also undergone a medical at Charlton, was unveiled at a news conference after signing until May 2008.The former Hearts captain, 33, who had also undergone a medical at Charlton, was unveiled at a news conference after signing until May 2008.
Pressley began his career with Celtic's city rivals, Rangers, but was attracted to the Scottish champions' status.Pressley began his career with Celtic's city rivals, Rangers, but was attracted to the Scottish champions' status.
"I'm passionate about my football, regardless of who I play for, and hopefully that commitment will endear me to the Celtic faithful," he said."I'm passionate about my football, regardless of who I play for, and hopefully that commitment will endear me to the Celtic faithful," he said.
He joins a small band of players to have played for Glasgow's two main clubs, following the likes of Alfie Conn, Mo Johnston and new team-mate Kenny Miller.
"I'm absolutely thrilled and honoured to join Celtic," he said.
"It's a fantastic opportunity for me at this age. He has shown over the last few years he is an exceptional leader Celtic manager Gordon Strachan
"There is the opportunity to win silverware here at Celtic Park.
"In eight-and-a-half years at Hearts, I got the opportunity to do that only once and it was a fantastic feeling."
Pressley also admitted the opportunity to play Champions League football had influenced his decision.
"It was a big draw," he said. "Obviously, as I played for Hearts in the qualifying rounds, I'm unable to play any part this season.
"Hopefully there will be the opportunity next year."
Pressley had held talks with new Charlton manager Alan Pardew on Thursday.Pressley had held talks with new Charlton manager Alan Pardew on Thursday.
But Celtic's need for defensive cover had become more pressing with this week's confirmation that Bobo Balde had suffered a broken leg. Steven has shown over the years that he is an exceptional leader Celtic manager Gordon Strachan But Celtic's need for defensive cover had become more pressing with this week's confirmation that Bobo Balde had suffered a broken leg.
And it was Gordon Strachan who won the signature of a player who had also been linked with Southampton, Derby and Leeds.And it was Gordon Strachan who won the signature of a player who had also been linked with Southampton, Derby and Leeds.
Strachan was a team-mate of Pressley's at Coventry and knows his qualities well. Pressley and Strachan were both at Coventry, so the manager knows his qualities well.
"He has shown over the years that he is an exceptional leader and that is the kind of player we need here," he said. "I've known him since he was a kid and he has got better every year, not only as a player, as a man," said Strachan.
Pressley had undergone a medical at Charlton on Thursday before making his choice known. "He has shown over the last few years he is an exceptional leader. He has presence, not only on the field but in the dressing-room.
His agent, Blair Morgan, told BBC Sport: "It was a really, really difficult decision. "We need these kind of people at our club. Our centre-halves are young, we need a leader."
"He had two fantastic offers from two good clubs. Charlton were really brilliant, but the lure of European football next season won the day."
Scotland international Pressley was a free agent after coming to an agreement to leave Hearts earlier this month following his criticism of majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov.Scotland international Pressley was a free agent after coming to an agreement to leave Hearts earlier this month following his criticism of majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov.
MY SPORT DEBATE: Your reaction to Pressley's moveMY SPORT DEBATE: Your reaction to Pressley's move
Pressley also claimed there was "dressing-room unrest" at the Scottish Premier League club.Pressley also claimed there was "dressing-room unrest" at the Scottish Premier League club.
Pardew, who replaced Les Reed as manager of Charlton on Christmas Eve, had thought there was a "good chance" he could win Pressley's signature but realised there was severe competition.Pardew, who replaced Les Reed as manager of Charlton on Christmas Eve, had thought there was a "good chance" he could win Pressley's signature but realised there was severe competition.
"What I like about him is he is a leader," the Charlton manager had said."What I like about him is he is a leader," the Charlton manager had said.
"I think we have got some very good centre-halves here, but he comes into a pack where we need characters and leadership and that is one thing that attracts me to him.""I think we have got some very good centre-halves here, but he comes into a pack where we need characters and leadership and that is one thing that attracts me to him."
Pressley is ineligible to play for his new employer before the opening of the transfer window in January.Pressley is ineligible to play for his new employer before the opening of the transfer window in January.
He is also ineligible for Celtic's Champions League campaign this term, having already played for Hearts in the competition.