STEVEN NAISMITH has finally embarked on his UEFA Pro-Licence – a prerequisite to boss in Europe next season.
Hearts were forced to name Frankie McAvoy head coach for the duration of last season’s campaign because Naisy did not have his badge.
And the former Scotland star only officially took over as Jambos boss once their exit from the Conference League was confirmed.
The 37-year-old is among an intake of 20 coaches who took part in a two-day meetup at Hampden this week.
Hibs rival David Gray, currently frontrunner to be named Easter Road boss, is also on the same course.
The pair have been joined by Scott Brown, Kris Doolan, Charlie Adam, Charlie Mulgrew, Darren McGregor and Jonny Hayes.
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Brown and Doolan work in the Championship with Ayr and Partick respectively, with Adam at Fleetwood – while the likes of Mulgrew and Hayes have been linked with youth coaching posts at Celtic.
And Greig Paterson, SFA Head of Coach Education and Development, is looking forward to seeing how the group progresses.
He said: “There have been a significant number of coaches who had expressed an interest in completing the award and we are delighted we were able to confirm another course to accommodate.
“It’s exciting to embark on this journey with this group over the next two years as they progress in their coaching careers with us.
“To be able to welcome such a strong and diverse group, so quickly after launching our most recent Pro-Licence course, is a reflection not only on the strength and depth of personnel involved in the Scottish game but also the success of our own Coach Education pathway.”
Rangers Women‘s Head Coach Jo Potter is also completing the award and she was back at Hampden Park only days after lifting the Scottish Gas Women’s Scottish Cup with Rangers on Sunday.
The Portuguese link remains strong, with Benfica Women’s coach Filipa Patao taking a place on the course.
Patao led Benfica Women to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League earlier this season.
Also working towards his Pro Licence is Partick Thistle manager Kris Doolan as are Charlie Mulgrew, Darren McGregor and Jonny Hayes, three former stars who have all recently played in the Scottish top flight.
The Scottish FA Coach Education Department only welcomed the latest group onto the prestigious course 12 months ago and 20 candidates are currently completing the award – aiming to graduate in 2025.
Also included among the 20 are a number of former coaches at Rangers – all of whom have now moved on.
Former Gers first team coach Ceri Bowley, and head of academy Craig Mulholland are working towards the bade, as is Cameron Campbell, who recently made the jump to become Under-19 coach at FB Leipzig.
Two coaches currently working in the Finnish Super League, Stevie Grieve of SJK Seinajoki and Ferran Sibili of HJK Helsinki, are also included.
Due to increased demand, the Scottish FA was permitted by UEFA to run a second course alongside the current one.
The line-up in full:Â
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Charlie Adam, Manager, Fleetwood Town FC
Adam Asghar, Under-21s Head Coach, Southampton FC
Ceri Bowley, Technical Advisor, Various
Scott Brown, Manager, Ayr United FC
Cameron Campbell, Under-19 Head Coach & Talent Development, RB Leipzig
Craig Clark, First Team Technical Coach, Kilmarnock FC
Stephen Clarke, Scotland Men‘s Under-16 Head Coach & Braidhurst Scottish FA Performance School Head Coach
Paul Cowie, Academy Director, Dundee United FC
Kris Doolan, Manager, Partick Thistle FC
David Gray, First Team Assistant Coach, Hibernian FC
Stevie Grieve, Head Coach, SJK SeinajokiÂ
David Haley, Assistant Coach, Celtic Women FC
Jonathan Hayes, Player, Aberdeen FC
Darren McGregor, Under-18 Head Coach, Hibernian FC
Charles Mulgrew, unattached
Craig Mulholland, Head of Football Development and Talent Manager, Nottingham Forest FC
Steven Naismith, Head Coach, Heart of Midlothian FC
Filipa Patao, Head Coach, Benfica Women FC
Jo Potter, Head Coach, Rangers Women FC
Ferran Sibila, Head Coach, HJK Helsinki
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