Ross Stewart has described the surreal day he learned Southampton were being expelled from the play-offs, the same day he received a World Cup call-up, and has explained why he chose to join Swansea City on a free transfer.
The striker, who signed for the Swans over the summer, says the decision to leave Southampton was not driven by the 'Spygate' scandal that saw the club denied a place in the Championship play-off final against Hull City at Wembley.
A day of highs and lows
On the morning of May 19, Stewart was on top of the world after being called up for the World Cup squad. Hours later, he learned Southampton had been kicked out of the play-offs following the spying scandal that sent a shockwave through the EFL.
"I've got a lot of thoughts on it," he said. "I thought the punishment for the club to be kicked out was too harsh."
"You can understand why it happened, but it was a really surreal day for it to happen because I got called up for the World Cup squad in the morning, and then in the evening I got the news they were going to kick us out of the play-offs. So I went through a real high and a real low."
Stewart's goal in the play-off semi-final against Middlesbrough, which would be his last act in a Southampton shirt, was subsequently wiped from the record. He added: "When we were chucked out, you never truly believe that's what they're doing. But what happened, happened and the decision was made and you can be really upset about it, but it's football and you've just got to move on."
Fresh challenge at Swansea
Stewart insists the controversy did not influence his decision to leave St Mary's. "I wouldn't say it ever swayed my decision too much for me," he said. "I think it was more about security in the long-term for me and that fresh challenge."
He signed for Swansea on a free transfer and has the same ambition as the club. "I want to get back in the Premier League," he said. "I think that was the main reason for coming here and it was what aligned with the management here and the club's having a real go at trying to do that."
Stewart had a taste of the top flight under former Swansea boss Russell Martin, who is now at Leicester City. Martin, it turns out, tried to sign him again before the striker moved to south Wales. "I didn't speak to him about coming to Swansea, it was more about going to Leicester," he laughed. "I still keep in touch with him and we get on really well. I've always said he's a great manager to play under."
Family and early career
Stewart's family have played a big role in his career, especially his father, who helped pay a transfer fee to take him to Albion Rovers in 2016. At the time, Stewart was playing junior football in Scotland after leaving Celtic's youth set-up.
"I was in the youth set-up at Celtic for many years and then found myself playing junior football in Scotland, which is amateur level," he said. "I went there to try and get the enjoyment back."
"Albion Rovers had put together £1,000 and were 500 short so my dad chipped in to get it done. I like to think I've paid him back now with all the trips and free tickets."
Stewart also balanced football with a full-time job at the land register. "I worked in the land register," he explained. "So dealing with property, title deeds and new housing plots. I would go in there and then go play my football at night at Albion Rovers."
Matos influence and competition
Now 30, Stewart has played in all four of Scotland's top divisions and is enjoying working under Swansea boss Vitor Matos. "It was just how warm he was in his talks," he said. "How much he knew and how he sold the club and how he sees it to me."
Competition from Idah and Vipotnik, the latter last season's top scorer in the Championship, has not dampened his enthusiasm. "The three of us get on really well and we're really close as a group in the dressing room," he added. "We're all in the same boat, but at the same time, if you've not got the jersey, you always support your team-mates at all times. That's what's been installed throughout the dressing room this season."
