Simeone's dark arts with a little Indian spice is helping Peter build Paisley pattern

Hartley got tactical masterclass based on Diego blueprint

- BY FRASER MACKIE

PETER HARTLEY has revealed how access to the defensive arts in Diego Simeone's playbook became his coaching inspiration.

The St Mirren coach worked for Inter Kashi in India, a club created by Atletico Madrid, before joining Stephen Robinsons staff last October.

Hartley admits lessons learned from the Atletico way have transformed his outlook.

The ex-Motherwell centre-back’s work with defenders played a big part in Saints securing a third successive top-six spot last season.

He is officially head of first-team transition and loan pathways, a job Robinson headhunted him for after promoting Brian Kerr to assistant boss.

Hartley, 37, says the coaching path to Paisley began with the most fortunate break of his football life.

After two seasons with Jamshedpur in the Indian Super League, he was back home in Hartlepool and on the brink of hanging up his boots in 2023.

Hartley said: “Jamshedpur had an Atletico Madrid connection while I played for them. I shared a hotel with one of their coaches, Carlos Santamarina.

“I was doing my A licence at the time and we went out for coffee, Carlos helped me and we talked football all the time.