Gary Teale thought he’d hung up his boots for good when he became St Mirren’s interim manager in December.
The former Scotland winger will be 37 next month, and hasn’t kicked a ball in anger since the Buddies’ 1-1 draw with Inverness Caley Thistle on November 29.
However, having missed out on the Saints job on a permanent basis, Teale claims he’s prepared to play again next season if it helps him land a coaching job.
“I had a knee operation just before I took over from Tommy Craig, and I just assumed that would be the end for me,” he said.
“However, you should never say never and, if someone wants me as a player-coach or player-manager, then I’d do that.
“I’m lucky in that I’m naturally fit anyway, but I’ve started training on my own and I’m in decent condition.”
Gary will take a busman’s holiday later this month when he heads for Prague to assess the Euro Under-21 Championship
“I’m in the middle of doing my Pro licence,” he explained. “So I’ll be there from June 16-22, taking in two games a day when I can.
“We have to write reports on the matches, breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of each team.
“Then Jim Fleeting of the SFA, who oversees the programme, gives us tasks at night.
“Oddly enough, I’ll be doing it with Ian Murray, who got the Saints job ahead of me.
“That’s just the way it goes, though, and there’s no problem between us. We did our A and B licences together, too.”
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