Drivers airbag removal MKV HELP please!

[cosaw]

Trying to change a Pedal Box. From the Haynes manual it seems that the steering column needs to be removed of which the first part is to remove the drivers airbag and then the steering wheel.

Just can't seem to release the airbag, I've poked a screwdriver down the rear holes on the steering wheel and using a mirror I can now see that the spring clips appear to have shifted out of the way towards the hub of the steerign wheel - either that or I've broken them! However the airbag still won't release. How much force is required when prizing the front of the airbag.

Also the Haynes manual is not clear - does the column need to be fully removed or just dropped by removing the shear bolts to extract the pedal box??

Thanks in advance,