GORDON YOUNG has lived with the spectre looking over his shoulder. Today, he has his licence to skill.

At 57, Young has clocked up his fair share of air miles - from Shotts to Sheffield, California to Cove - in search of opportunity and adventure. It has given him stories to tell and tales to recall and the chance to put his life and times in black and white proved cathartic.

He has been instrumental in the development of a generation of players at Motherwell, attempted to live his American dream and is now aiding Rangers' League One promotion bid alongside Paul Hartley.

Young's career has been hectic, often hilarious. He has given so much to so many, but the moment was right to put himself first after using a rare break to take stock on life both in and out of the game.

“It was brought on because of the pandemic," Young said after writing his first book - 'A Licence to Skill' - as he details his career, a battle with depression and his football philosophy.

“Everyone was looking for physical activity and mental activity and for me the two went hand in hand.

“It was something that had been asked of me before, but I never had the time to actually sit down and do it.

“It was therapy for me in the end. I enjoyed reflecting on an incredibly quick 20 years travelling the globe.

“I feel very fortunate to have had these opportunities. It certainly helped me get through the pandemic.

“Other people are going through the same thing. It’s so important to reach out and talk if you can.

“You can be going along this avenue that ultimately has a dead end. The hole can get deeper and deeper. So it’s vital you reach out.

“I was always the joker in the dressing room. But you ask the question, who makes the clown laugh?

“It’s all well and good being the 'funny guy', but funny guys need a bit of help sometimes too.

“I found writing the book was a great help to me in that regard.”

A former Scotland Junior international, Young was most noted for spells at Shotts Bon Accord and Cambuslang Rangers during a playing career that brought memories but didn't open many doors.

Since walking through the first at Fir Park to take up a position within the Motherwell academy, he hasn't looked back. In truth, Young has rarely had the chance to until he put pen to paper during lockdown.

He has had two stints in interim charge of the Steelmen, one after replacing Mixu Paatelainen at Dundee United and held two positions in Latvia, including as part of the Finn's staff at the national side.

“I was never interested in coaching," Young said. "I was the joker in the dressing room.

"When Peter Millar got the sack from Cambuslang I was the highest paid player and the most experienced and that’s just what happened in those days, you were almost shanghaied into it.

“I didn’t enjoy my time as player/manager if truth be told.

“When Peter then went to Motherwell, really at the formation of the club’s academy system, he invited me in.

“I began working more on the technical side with the younger players and that was something I really enjoyed.

“From there I got a real buzz. I started to think about the game more and it began to open doors.

“If you haven’t made it to the top level as a player, for whatever reason, you still retain a love for the game.

“Having been immersed in it all my life, from a very young age, I thought giving up my work and moving into coaching was a calculated gamble.

“I always believed that it could work. That was down to the people I was working with and the club I was with.”

Some of the players under his guidance would naturally fall away over time. Many have established themselves, however, and the cream of the crop continue to shine today.

David Turnbull and Allan Campbell are the star names from Young's time, but the likes of Jake Hastie, Stuart McKinstry and James Scott are also former pupils of his.

“I think you take pride in all of the young players you have worked with, I honestly mean that," Young said. “The ones who are natural footballers, you are more managing their careers.

“The other ones you try and better their careers and that’s where your man-management skills come in.

“As with everything, the cream will always rise to the top. We’ve had some very special kids who’ve come through.

“One of the most satisfying things for me is the amount of kids who have stayed in the game.

“As well as coaching, you are giving these boys life skills. You spend so much time with them, they are all chasing the same dream you chased as a young kid.

“And because of that you are able to impart a lot of your own knowledge. You want every one of them to make it to the top, you want to make sure you’ve given these boys every opportunity, not just to be better footballers, but to be better people too.”

The years at Fir Park have proven to be some of the most important and profound of Young's career but the next challenge and the next achievement is what motivates him right now.

As it stands, Cove are on course for a place in the Championship. Young may hold the position of Hartley's assistant, but he is integral to Rangers' rise and rise in recent times.

“I have enjoyed all my roles," Young said when asked if he would consider becoming a manager in his own right once again. "I have been very fortunate going back to my time at Motherwell where I was made first team coach, assistant coach and then having spells as interim manager.

“That all started thanks to Craig Brown and Archie Knox who showed a lot of faith in me.

“For me it’s not about individuals, football is very much about the collective.

“I have been very lucky to work with people who have valued my opinion and who have given me the chance to progress and further my own career.

“You don’t always need to agree on everything which is sometimes a good thing.”

*'Gordon Young: Licence to Skill' is available now from https://licencetoskill.easyecom.co.uk/. Priced at £12.99. Foreword by Craig Brown.