Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
PAULPUTSHIS ALLINTOMOVE
Airdrie new boy‘working 50 hours a week’
Paul Paton insists that Airdrie were the only club he was interested in signing for after joining on-loan from East Kilbride – and he’s working 50 hours a week to make it a success.
A host of clubs were keen to sign the 33 year-old midfielder but he only had eyes for the Diamonds as he joined last week on a part-time basis.
He said: “There were a few clubs that wanted to take me onloan but this was the only club that I was interested in.
“It’s all to play for between some good sides in the division and that’s why I came to test myself.”
Paton insists there were no financial incentives for him to join, just a desire to get back playing football.
He is combining a full-time job with a relentless schedule at Airdrie but his decision was fuelled by a desire to test himself.
He said: “I don’t get paid any more or less coming here that I did at EK.
“I could have kept my contract there and sat in the house but now I’m at Airdrie four times a week.
“We are in every Sunday for Covid [testing] too so I’ve put myself out there and pushed myself to the max.
“I’m working 50 hours a week and coming to Airdrie four times but I’ve only made that decision because I’ve got the desire to play at a good level.”
Airdrie boss Ian Murray was delighted with Paton’s debut in Saturday’s clash with Partick, despite a 4-2 defeat, and called the experienced midfielder the ‘best player on the park.’
Paton has enjoyed a successful career playing in the Scottish Premiership for Dundee United and St Johnstone. He captained Dunfermline last season and left the club in the summer.
The ex-partick player has been unable to train for months with the Lowland League suspended, so he is relieved to be back playing.
He said: “It was good to be back. I’ve only had a few training sessions in months so it will take me a while to get to my best level but it was good to get ninety minutes in.
“I feel like I’ve got different levels to go to but I’ve only had two sessions in four months so it was always going to be a big ask to play ninety minutes.
“It’s good that I’ve got those minutes in the legs and hopefully the team can kick on so we can make the play-offs - hopefully my best performances will come then.”