FORMER Hibs hero Kevin Harper is rolling back the years with Thorniewood United – but he insists he’s only pulling on the boots to help the game’s grassroots.
The 39-year-old forward, who also had spells at Portsmouth, Derby, Norwich and Stoke, has joined the juniors in a player-coach role and scored on his debut against St Anthony’s.
But the 39-year-old admits his glory years are firmly in the past as he gets used to playing in front of 100 fans rather than crowds 200-300 times that size.
Now his focus is on helping produce the next generation of players rather than a killer cross.
And he’s eager to pass on the wisdom picked up from Harry Redknapp, Tony Pulis and Steve McClaren to youngsters at the Uddingston-based side after he was persuaded out of retirement by old pal Andy Frame.
He said: “I’ve agreed to help Andy and his assistant John Paul McBride on the park but it’s not about playing for me any more, I’ve had my time.
“I’m going through my A Licence coaching badge and if I can help improve the young guys here and educate them on the game then that will give me more satisfaction.
“I can see players making the same mistakes I did as a raw teenager. I can relate to that.
“I remember making a run in a reserve game against Rangers and Richard Gough, who was marking me, turned and said ‘why are you making that run?’
“He then explained – while the game was raging on – why it was the wrong option and it made complete sense. Moments like that are priceless especially when they come from someone who has played at the top. As an experienced player I want to pass on the things I learned to the young guys coming through.
“I was lucky to play under some of the best managers in the UK – guys like Redknapp, Alex Miller, Pulis and Nigel Worthington. I learned different things from them all.
“Alex gave me my Hibs debut and I’ll always have the utmost respect for him. He was so methodical and tactically aware. Jim Smith and McClaren were the same at Derby.
“Tony at Stoke was fitness orientated and Harry built a team to entertain. ‘If they score four we will score five’ was his mantra. He would allow us to go and express ourselves.
“I want to use that experience to help build a successful career in coaching or management.”
For now, he’s focused on his coaching badges, continuing to run the Kevin Harper School of Excellence and helping push for promotion from the Central District First Division.
He said: “I’m enjoying it with Thorniewood. There’s not the pressure of playing professionally. You’ll never beat the buzz of running out in front of 50-60,000 at Old Trafford or Parkhead but it’s nice just to enjoy the game.”
