Tom Lucas was appointed to the Hawks Sports Trust at its inaugural meeting on 12th June

THE HERALD REPORTS
DARRYL BROADFOOT, Chief Football Writer June 22 2009
ONE has been transformed from a character tormented by shyness into a leader of men. One is seeking redemption after a decision that derailed a blossoming career. The other is regarded as a future Celtic manager.

They have all worked under the eye of Tom Lucas, one of Scotland's foremost sports psychologists, and all have found themselves in the headlines in the past week.

Stephen Craigan has been handed caretaker charge of Motherwell following Mark McGhee's departure and while he is keen to prolong his playing days, circumstances often dictate career paths. John Boyle, the Fir Park chairman, has insisted on conducting the recruitment process so far from the media spotlight he might just be holding interviews in Timbuktu; but that has not stopped Lawrie Sanchez's name being thrust forward as a contender. Then there is Malky Mackay, one of Scotland's most under-rated defenders of the past decade, now challenged with the task of reviving Watford's fortunes in his first managerial post.


Lucas has strengthened their minds to harness their inherent talents. If Mackay's evolution from Celtic bit-part player to defensive titan makes him one of the teacher's pets, then Craigan's involvement in leading a managerless Motherwell represents huge progress for a Northern Irishman who had to overcome shyness and insecurity en route to international recognition and a flourishing media career.

"It is recognition of his contribution to the club," said Lucas proudly. "He is a stalwart making good progress, not just as a footballer but as a person and a guy who is also developing his own media work. He is actually quite a quiet lad, thoughtful and articulate. He is a lot more confident than when he first came to me: then, he had a lot of self-doubt and lacked confidence in himself.

Now he is quietly confident and exudes a more authoritative air."

Lucas also has an explanation for Craigan's premature thatch of grey hair, one that may bolster the case that he is not a candidate to take over full-time. "Stephen is one of life's worriers: he worries about everything and my only worry is that management can screw these people up," he said. "Look at the tragedy that befell John Greig, who was team leader on the Friday and manager on the Monday. All of a sudden he has to drop his pals."

Lucas first encountered Sanchez when the former leader of the Wimbledon Crazy Gang reinvented himself as an austere and erudite coach at Wycombe Wanderers. His success caught the eye of the Northern Irish FA and Sanchez began an unlikely revival - taking them from 124th in the world rankings to a record high 27th - before being lured to Fulham, initially as caretaker. After saving them from relegation, he was offered a long-term contract in 2007, on the proviso he resigned from his international post, but he was sacked by December and has not been worked since.

"Sometimes people make some terrible mistakes in life and Lawrie was doing just fine with Northern Ireland then chucked it," said Lucas. "He was sacked and now he is keen to get back. He was very laid back at Wycombe and had a smashing team around him. He cultivated a team that believed in themselves. He could crack the whip if needed but was not the type for the hairdryer treatment.

Mackay has been tasked with taking Watford into play-off contention in the Championship next season. "In 10 years time Malky could be a Celtic manager, he genuinely has the potential to be a great manager," said Lucas. "He has played at the highest level for a long time, is intelligent, and has taken three clubs from the Championship into the Premier League Norwich City, West Ham United and Watford, as a player. What more can you ask for?"

This article was posted on 22-Jun-2009, 07:10 by Hugh Barrow.