Celtic travel to the City of Discovery this Sunday, aiming to cling on to their seemingly floundering position in the Scottish Premiership title race.
Central defender Benjamin Arthur, who joined the reigning champions on loan at the end of the winter transfer window, has commended Pressley ahead of the visit.
Pressley worked as an Individual Player Development (IPD) coach at Arthur’s parent club, Brentford, and helped him analyse his performances at youth level.
“Steven Pressley was an IPD coach at Brentford so I had a very close relationship to him,” Arthur explained. “I did a lot of work with him and off the pitch. He did loads for me.
“As soon as I came to Brentford he took me under his wing, he helped me learn a lot of things about communication, positioning. I think me and him went over every single game.
Steven Pressley will hope to make it back-to-back home wins over Celtic on Sunday, after Dundee’s 2-0 triumph back in October last year. (Image: Pete Summers / Shutterstock)
“It would be 30 minutes after every game, going through clips and stuff, how I could learn, things I’ve done well and yeah, really thankful for him.
“I’ll be very excited to see him. I saw him after my first game coming up here. I think it was too soon for me to be involved but I caught up with him briefly after the game.
“He had a great career himself so I think it was for me just learning as much as I can off him and taking things that he would tell me day by day and just keep learning off him.”
Pressley’s Dundee provide value for entertainment, though his touchline attire often draws attention.
“I think he’s well-dressed,” a hesitant but smiling Arthur admitted, seemingly reluctant to poke fun at his old mentor. “But he’s also a very smart guy, so definitely his tactical knowledge is better!
“He knows a lot about the game, he’s had loads of experience and stuff like that.”
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Sunday will also see Arthur reunite with another of his old Brentford chums, Ash Hay.
The centre-forward joined Dundee from the English Premier League club last summer and has scored four goals in 28 appearances.
“I lived with him for my second season [at Brentford]. We had an apartment,” Arthur revealed. “He’s a great guy. Hopefully he’ll say the same about me.
“He’s a good guy to live with. We’ve got on really well. He’s doing really well at Dundee. He was the cook and the cleaner!
“I’ve never played against him. We came through the Brentford B team together. We played together a few times. Obviously, up against him in training. “He’s a very good player. We speak quite regularly.”
Arthur has been rightly lauded for his performances since breaking into the Celtic starting XI midway through February. Dane Murray pulled up injured in the warm-up at Pittodrie, and the 20-year-old got the call.
Arthur has not looked back, starting each of Celtic’s three matches against Rangers, Motherwell, and Dundee United since.
Signed in the closing hours of the winter transfer window, he just about had enough time to consult Scotland international Aaron Hickey about a move to Parkhead. The Brentford right-back spent time in Celtic’s academy before joining Hearts at 15 years old.
“The move came around quite quickly so obviously I found out and it was just about making sure we get the deal done,” Arthur continued. “I’d heard Kris Ajer and Aaron Hickey have previously been here, so I’m sure they would have great things to say.
“I briefly spoke to Aaron about his time. He’s a good guy. He’s obviously struggled with his injuries and stuff, but I think he’s a very good player.”
Brentford’s Aaron Hickey has 19 Scotland caps. (Image: George Tewkesbury / Shutterstock)
Arthur’s 6 ft 5 in frame makes him stand out, along with his noticeably calm demeanour both on and off the ball. He has yet to put a foot wrong in green and white hoops.
You would not be surprised to see Arthur strolling it in one of Europe’s top-five leagues in years to come.
“I try to look at a lot of players, really,” he added. “I watch a lot of football, so I see a lot of centre-backs day-to-day and just pick out things I like that they do.
“Some players are more natural-born leaders so looking at things like that I try to pick out how I can communicate better and just little habits that a lot of the high-quality defenders have.”