New St Johnstone signing Lee Croft has featured in the showbiz pages of newspapers more than the sports ones in recent times thanks to his celebrity girlfriend, but the on-loan Derby County winger has insisted his focus is making a name for himself on the pitch and not off it while he is in Scotland.
Croft and partner Maria Fowler, who used to star on the hit TV show The Only Way Is Essex, will set up home at Gleneagles over the next few months.
The former Norwich City player, who revealed this is his first trip across the border, is happy to leave the red carpets, paparazzi and gossip columns behind.
The 26-year-old, who has previously commanded a £700,000 transfer fee, said: ”I’ve got a lot of Scots friends Chris Maguire, David Marshall, Mark Fotheringham but I’ve never been up here before. They all speak highly of the country they say it’s the best country in the world.
”I know Jody Morris and Michael Duberry have come up here and done well. Kris Commons left Derby to play for Celtic and he seems to enjoy it. So I’m really looking forward to playing in the SPL.”
He added: ”Football is most definitely the most important thing to me, and my girlfriend understands that. That’s what I’m here for really and nothing else really matters through to the end of the season. St Johnstone have been doing well and I want to help them.
”Maria is very supportive and knows I’m here for the football. She enjoys coming to games to watch me.”
Croft added: ”You know what, I actually hate all the London stuff and I’m glad to get away from it. It’s all about my football here. We plan to rent a place Stephen Pearson (who he played with at Derby) has at Gleneagles.
”I hear there’s good golf there. I’m not very good but I’ll give it a try it will have to wait just now though, because I’m a warm-weather golfer.”
When Croft arrived at Stirling University on Thursday for his first day of training with his new club there were a few familiar faces to greet him.
He said: ”I worked with Steve (Lomas) and Tommy (Wright) at Norwich so that was part of the attraction in coming to St Johnstone.
”I know Callum Davidson from down south as well. We were up against each other and I remember he booted me a few times!”
It isn’t that long ago that the right-sided winger, who holds the record for the number of youth caps for England, was playing regular first-team football with the Rams.
He said: ”I’ve not been involved for a few weeks because the manager, Nigel Clough, stopped playing with two wingers. I was playing at the start of the season though. It’s been frustrating training all week and not getting a game.”
He added: ”Hopefully, I can kick on with my football up here. I just want to get back playing regularly, doing well for the club and for myself. I feel fit and ready if the manager chooses to involve me against Hibs.”
Meanwhile, Lomas is hoping the signings of Croft and Jack Compton will spell the end of his transfer window dealings. That would mean Fran Sandaza staying until the summer, and looks more likely after Rangers today withdrew their pre-contract offer to the Spaniard after he refused to sign it.
And as preparations step up for Hibs, Lomas revealed that chairman Steve Brown is trying to tie up several players on longer-term contracts, among them Chris Millar.
Injury-plagued striker Sam Parkin and Saints have parted company by mutual consent.
Photo by PA Wire