Former SFA chief to host psychology masterclass at GCU

The former chief executive of the Scottish Football Association is to host a masterclass at Glasgow Caledonian University on the importance of psychology in sport. 

Gordon Smith, a graduate of GCU, who played football for Rangers, Brighton and Hove Albion, Kilmarnock, and had spells in Switzerland and Austria, will visit GCU on Tuesday, February 6. 

Now working as a football analyst on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound, Gordon has been a football agent and was Director of Football at Rangers FC. 

His masterclass will focus on the role psychology plays in all sports, including football, tennis and golf, and will include insights from the university scholarship system in America. 

He said: "Mental strength is crucial and as football is a results business, you have to deal with highs and lows on a regular basis. At the highest level of the game, you need to be able to handle it even more. 

"There are three important elements in the development of young players; athleticism, technique and psychology. 

"Most of the people I have dealt with over the years have little regard for psychology and have no understanding of the impact their own attitude and behaviour has on their protégés. 

"I believe it is important to educate coaches about the importance of psychology as only then, will we be more confident that young players are being positively developed."