SchalkclaimsCountyblastwaslostintranslation
ALEX SCHALK has reacted with fury to reports he was bored playing for Ross County and had bad-mouthed supporters.
Interviewed by Dutch football magazine Voetbal, along with Kenny van der Weg, Schalk insists he drew only light-hearted comparisons between life in the north of Scotland and Holland.
Titled “Kenny and Alex in Wonderland”, the Dutch piece showed the pair relaxing and messing about happily on the shores of Loch Ness.
Schalk claims alleged criticisms of the Premiership and a lack of atmosphere at County matches were poorly translated.
Dingwall boss Jim McIntyre is understood to have collared both players and demanded an explanation but has given them his backing.
Schalk said: “I just want to put things straight. We had a Dutch magazine over last week and it was just a funny interview about Kenny and I and playing together in our youth at Breda.
“There were funny short stories but they totally mistranslated the piece, completely out of the context it was written in. It was very negative.
“We went to Loch Ness to take some pictures. It was fantastic to show them around. Our intention was more to put Ross County on the map in Holland. We were happy with the Dutch article.
“We were talking about Inverness, where we both live, but they mentioned Dingwall. I never mentioned Dingwall. That’s the first misunderstanding.
“It puts pressure on us going into these important games, unnecessarily. It’s way too easy to go and translate something out of context like that.
“I’m happy here, I’m in talks for extending my contract. Why would I be negative? I want to make it clear that it’s total bull***t.”