St Johnstone’s Liam Craig swaps playing for coaching this week at the PFA Scotland showcase and exit trial.
The 10-day course takes place at North College Lanarkshire’s Broadwood base and mixes on-field coaching with off-field education for out-of-contract players.
It starts today and finishes on the 18th with an exit trial game.
Last year’s match was attended by representatives from every club in the country with players such as Iain Davidson, who had been released by Dundee, subsequently winning a contract back at Raith.
PFA Scotland spokeswoman Michelle Evans said: “We have 34 signed up for the course but the difference this year is that we have a mixture of full-time and part-time players.
“We listened to feedback from the last one and part-time lads were struggling to attend because they had jobs so this time we are having night-time sessions on Tuesday and Thursday.
“Then on the 11th, the full-time and part-time lads will come together to play a game.
“There is a good mix of ages with a couple of 17s who were released by Dundee United through to the likes of older lads such as former Raith player Grant Anderson and Dougie Hill.
“Every day there are coaching sessions in the morning followed by lunch and then in the afternoon there is classroom education such as CV writing and interview workshops.
“There are also lessons in strength and conditioning.
“Former Celtic and Dundee United player Mark Wilson is in overall charge of the coaching but there are also a lot of others coming in so it is different every day.
“We have the likes of Frazer Wright, Liam Craig, Andy McLaren, Dougie Imrie and Jack Ross all lined up to take sessions.
“At the end of the 10 days, there is an Exit Trial game which is attended by coaches, scouts and clubs from across country.
“Last year every single club in the country was represented and it is a great way for players to put themselves in the shop window.”
