“I’M DONE PRETENDING” PRESSLEY UNLEASHES ‘HEAVIEST BRUTAL STATEMENT EVER’ ON CELTIC & SPFL THAT LEFT PRESS ROOM STUNNED INTO SILENCE
In a post match interview that quickly went viral, Dundee manager Steven Pressley delivered a scathing and unfiltered critique of the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), Celtic, and match officials following his team’s 1 0 defeat to Celtic. The interview, marked by raw frustration and candid observations, has sent shockwaves through Scottish football and sparked widespread debate about fairness, refereeing, and the league’s governance.
From the moment he took the mic in the media room, Pressley’s tone was unambiguous and intense. Speaking with rare bluntness, he made it clear that he was no longer willing to “pretend” that everything in Scottish football operates fairly. His words cut to the core of ongoing frustrations felt by many clubs outside the traditional powerhouses.
“I’m done pretending,” Pressley said firmly. “I’m done acting like the SPFL operates on a level playing field,“Every club complains whenever they face Celtic. Why? Because they know the deck is stacked,” he asserted. “It’s no secret anymore. Refereeing decisions, scheduling, league governance all of it too often tilts in one direction.” The truth is out there, and we all know it.”
While careful not to accuse Celtic directly of wrongdoing on the pitch, Pressley did not shy away from holding the club up as the primary beneficiary of a system that, in his view, heavily favours the established giants of Scottish football. His remarks highlight a tension that has simmered for years beneath the surface of Scottish football.
Pressley’s frustration was palpable as he detailed what he perceives to be systemic failings within the league’s administration and officiating standards. His critique extended beyond isolated incidents, pointing to a broader culture that undermines competitive balance.
“This isn’t about conspiracy theories or accusations without proof,” Pressley clarified. “It’s about fairness and transparency. If we want Scottish football to grow, every club must believe they’re competing under the same rules.”
One of the key areas Pressley highlighted was refereeing inconsistencies. He suggested that officials frequently influence matches involving Celtic in ways that smaller clubs find difficult to counter. This, he said, damages not only individual games but the reputation of the league as a whole.
“Inconsistency kills competition,” he said. “When you’re up against a club like Celtic, you need to be able to trust that decisions will be fair. When that trust is broken, the integrity of the game suffers.”
Pressley also took aim at the league’s governance, accusing the SPFL of lacking transparency and failing to address ongoing concerns raised by clubs outside the traditional powers. According to him, this has created an environment where smaller clubs feel powerless and are unable to plan or compete on equal footing.
“The issues aren’t new,” Pressley said. “They’ve been raised time and again, but nothing changes. Smaller clubs are left guessing, unable to plan or compete on equal footing.”
Throughout the interview, Pressley’s candour was both shocking and refreshing. His words struck a chord not just with Dundee supporters but across the Scottish football community, many of whom have long harboured similar frustrations but lacked a platform to voice them so bluntly.
Asked whether his remarks could lead to backlash from the league or fellow managers, Pressley showed no sign of backing down. He embraced the potential consequences, stressing the importance of speaking out.
“If speaking the truth means backlash, so be it,” he said. “Someone has to say it. We can’t keep pretending everything is fine when it clearly isn’t.”
The interview ended with Pressley delivering a final pointed message to the league’s administrators and decision makers.
“It’s time to listen. It’s time for fairness. Until then, the complaints won’t stop and neither will the frustration.”
Pressley’s words have ignited a flurry of discussion among fans, pundits, and insiders alike. Clips of the interview have been shared widely across social media platforms, reaching millions and sparking intense debate over the state of Scottish football’s governance and competitive balance.
While the SPFL and Celtic have yet to issue official responses, the interview has ensured that the spotlight remains firmly on the issues Pressley raised. For many supporters of smaller clubs, his comments echo long-standing concerns about inequality and the challenges faced when competing against Scotland’s dominant teams.
For now, the focus will return to the pitch as the Premiership season progresses. Yet Steven Pressley’s willingness to confront these issues head on means his post match comments will be remembered and discussed for weeks to come.
The interview is a reminder that beneath the excitement and passion of Scottish football lies a complex web of challenges that extend beyond the ninety minutes. Whether it will prompt meaningful change remains to be seen, but for now the conversation Pressley has started cannot be ignored.
