MX23RW : Tuesday, December 17 00:43:46| >> :600:323001:323001:

Hibs defender Darren McGregor takes business course to boost manager ambitions

Hibs defender Darren McGregor takes business course to boost manager ambitions
© Reuters
Darren McGregor hopes a business management course at Napier University will prove useful when his playing career ends.

Hibernian defender Darren McGregor returned to the classroom in a bid to shape his future.

The 34-year-old is contracted to the Easter Road club until 2023 but recognises that he is in the twilight of his career which is currently on hold due to the coronavirus crisis.

Football in the country has been suspended since March 13 with no firm date for its return but McGregor is looking further ahead than that keenly-awaited date.

He told PA news agency. "I'm currently on a business management course at Napier University. PFA Scotland organised the course and basically it's an HND on business management tapered towards being a manager.

"It's been excellent. David Gray, Whitts (Steven Whittaker) and me have been attending every second Thursday for the last year. It closed until further notice but we have a couple of assignments still to do.

Hibernian v Celtic – Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership – Easter Road
Darren McGregor (rIght) is preparing for his future with a business management course (Ian Rutherford/PA)

"It was good to be back in the classroom after 20 years. It's good to get the brain working again, to push yourself out your comfort zone because I'm going to have to get there eventually.

"I'm doing as much as I can to tick the boxes that needed to be picked for my future. I have done my B license and was supposed to be in the process of doing my A license but I'm not sure if that will get moved to next year.

"I would love to stay at Hibs in some capacity to be honest but what they see that capacity being, who knows? I want to play as long as I can. I feel as if I still have a lot to give, I genuinely do. I still enjoy the hustle and bustle of training."

McGregor will wait patiently for the season to restart – if it does – and is relishing the prospect of a William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final against Edinburgh rivals Hearts to come safe in the knowledge that his cup ambitions with his boyhood heroes were fulfilled in the most dramatic circumstances.

The former Cowdenbeath, St Mirren and Rangers player was in the Hibs side which won the cup in 2016 to take it back to Easter Road for the first time in 114 years.

Hibernian Open Top Bus Parade – Edinburgh City Centre
Darren McGregor was in the Hibs side which won the Scottish Cup in 2016 (Andrew Milligan/PA)

McGregor said: "The cup seems that far off but we have a great opportunity.

"The game, whenever it gets played, will be a spectacle, it always is when it is Hibs versus Hearts. It will be  tough game but one I think we can win and then who knows?

"But there is a lot happening between now and then so we will see what happens.

"But if my career was to end today I could look back and have no regrets. I was brought up in Leith and I am happy that I won the Scottish Cup with my boyhood heroes".

While there remains huge uncertainty around when the league season will resume, McGregor is on the side of those who believe it should be concluded.

He said: "It is a contentious issue. To call it a day as such would be unfair on teams that want to get promoted and the same going the other way (relegation).

"You need to see it to its conclusion to give everybody a fair crack of the whip.

"It is a weird situation to be in. You want to get back, you want that purpose in life, that's what you want as a footballer".

ID:394824: cacheID:394824:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7478:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Celtic manager Neil Lennon reacts on February 27, 2020
Read Next:
Coronavirus latest: Scottish top-flight club want season voided
>
Read more about Darren McGregor Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1514104444043
2Aberdeen16104230181234
3RangersRangers1510232791832
4Motherwell168172226-425
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd166642519624
6St Mirren176382228-621
7Dundee165472729-219
8Kilmarnock174581834-1617
9Hibernian173682129-815
10Ross County173681333-2015
11St Johnstone1742112032-1214
12Hearts1734101826-813


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!