Exclusive: Stefan Thordarson Eyes Play-Off Push with Preston Under New Boss Heckingbottom

Preston playmaker Stefan Thordarson is relishing the Championship fight.

The 23-cap Iceland international midfielder was the Lilywhites’ first major signing of the summer, and the 25-year-old hopes to play a pivotal role as the ambitious Lancashire club look to push for the play-offs this season.

Ambition and Adaptation in the Championship

Ryan Lowe signed Thordarson ahead of the new Championship season, but the former boss shocked many with his Deepdale departure after just one game of the new campaign.

But former Barnsley, Leeds United and Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom has been brought in steady the ship from early choppy waters and guide them back on course to long-awaited second-tier success this season.

Thordarson, who famously played in his country’s memorable 1-0 victory over England in the Nations League at Wembley in June this year, knows he’s going to have to learn quickly adapt to a totally different style of play in England.

Adapting to English Football’s Physicality

“It’s obviously very different to Icelandic or Danish football,” Thordarson told SportsBoom.com.

“I would say the physicality in the Championship is a lot different to Danish or Iceland football, the games are very even.”

“But in the Danish league the games can be a little bit more possession-based.”

“I came from a team that was very possession based, so lots of small, small passes.”

“However, in the Championship you need to be ready for the fight.”

Inspired by Iceland’s Euro 2016 Heroics

Thordarson has never had far to look for inspiration having heralded from a family with bags of footballing pedigree.

Many of his family have been involved in the game at a professional level and he has taken plenty of inspiration from the famous Iceland team from Euro 2016 which dumped England out with a history-making 2-1 win.

England suffered their worst humiliation since they were knocked out of the 1950 World Cup by USA in Brazil as Iceland shocked them in Nice.

Dreaming of International Success

“The older generation of players really inspired us and we’d like to do the same,” revealed Thordarson, who is hoping to further cement his international credentials as well this season.

“We (in the national team) have been talking about it a lot. There’s comparisons now from that team and the team now, we want to also go to a major tournament and be successful.”

Icelandic football has seen an incredible rise since 2016 with more players pushing for moves to English clubs and across the world