Alex Gogic admits he was sorely tempted to return home to Cyprus in the summer as he weighed up offers from across Europe.
But after a Nations League trip to Northern Ireland with the Cypriot national team in June he saw the clearest sign yet that he now belongs in Scotland with St Mirren. A Buddies fan stood with a hand-scrawled note urging the midfielder, who had spent the second half of last season on loan from Hibs, to sign on again at Saints.
Two months on and the 28-year-old has done just that after snubbing offers from Romania, Bulgaria and the land of his birth to pen a two-year deal in Paisley. Now the former Hibs and Hamilton Accies ace is desperate to get back to work after missing the first four league games of the season. And he insists a top six finish has to be the target for Stephen Robinson 's side.
Gogic said: “I had offers from clubs in Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria and there was a club in Russia as well. At the end of last season I was open to going abroad and trying something new if it was right.
“But, when I sat down and observed the whole situation, coming back to Scotland was best. Myself and my family really love Scotland and it feels like home to us now.
“The people and the football just keep bringing me back. Here we know what to expect football wise and living wise.
“It also meant a lot that the manager was willing to wait for me to make a decision. And when the fans like you and give you a warm reception then it helps. When I was leaving everyone was like ‘please sign’.
“And when I was with the national team there was a guy in Ireland who had a note that said ‘Alex please sign’. That was great. For sure it is part of the reason I decided to sign on.
“Yes there was a temptation to go back to Cyprus. Especially being there with the national team just after the season finished. The league is getting better over there as well. I know plenty of boys in the teams there.
“But I don’t think playing in Scotland will affect my involvement with Cyprus. If it does happen then I can’t do anything about it. I have played well every opportunity I got for my country and hopefully there are a few more.”
Gogic returned to training in Ralston for the first time yesterday and was immediately targeted by his team mates who have been hard at it for the past eight weeks. The midfielder has spent the majority of that time training alone in Athens. But, despite the weather, he admits he’s missed the banter and the sense of belonging.
Now he’s back in the thick of it with a visit from former club Hibs up first on Saturday. And he said: “When you are by yourself you have to motivate and push yourself. So it’s good to be back with team mates.
“And the banter is there. That’s what you miss the most in football. It’s hard to leave them They were all at it .. ‘you enjoy your long holiday?’ and ‘is that you using your experience?’
“It’s part of the fun of the dressing room. I’ve been watching the highlights and keeping in touch with what happened. I saw the game on Saturday and it was a very good performance.
“You could see who compact the team was and we were very good on the counter. I don't want to jinx things but there is no reason why we can't finish in the top six.
“We were so close towards the end of last season when we started playing well. I think if you keep working hard the way we do then results will eventually go your way.”
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