HOME COMFORTS
Erwin is happy to turn his back on foreign fields
BORN in Scotland’s central belt, Lee Erwin could be forgiven for feeling that moving to Dingwall to sign for Ross County might present some practical challenges.
For the striker, though, the abject sense of isolation that he felt during an ill-advised year spent in Iran will serve to put everything in to perspective.
Speaking as he got ready to cut short his association with Tractor Sazi last month, the former Motherwell and Kilmarnock frontman described his existence in western Asia as being akin to that of prison.
One of only three English-speaking players in the squad, a scenario he described as ‘horrific’, Erwin previously detailed how he was unable to welcome his daughter for visits on account of the fact he wasn’t married.
Relieved to have at last left Iran to sign a twoyear deal with the newly-promoted Premiership club, the last thing Erwin will be heard complaining about is any sense of homesickness.
‘Above all, it is really good to be at a club where I feel I am wanted,’ said the 24year-old, after failing to kick a ball under John Toshack since November.
‘Some clubs and managers don’t have a say in who they bring in. Here, it was obvious that the managers wanted me. That’s a big positive for me as I haven’t played since November — eight months.
‘It just didn’t work out in Iran, for numerous reasons. That’s in the past now and I just need to move on. There’s no point in dwelling on what happened.’
Desperate to cut short his time with the Tabriz-based club, Erwin feared the short time-scale he had to negotiate his departure would work against him.
‘I wasn’t out of contract until mid-June and, until then, I wasn’t even able to negotiate or speak to anyone else,’ he explained.
‘My first experience of playing abroad obviously wasn’t good
but, at the start of the summer, my heart was still set on going abroad again. But once I weighed it all up with family, I decided I wanted to be back in the UK.
‘I spoke to a few managers and the gaffers here invited me up last week. I came up and was pleased with the facilities and what they want to do. After so long without football, though, I was just eager to get back playing.’
Erwin came through the ranks at Motherwell and secured a move to Leeds after three seasons at Fir Park.
Having played with Kilmarnock as recently as 2017-18, he doesn’t envisage any problems with readjusting to the Scottish game.
‘I know the Scottish leagues well so, having spoken to Ross County, I just wanted to be back with family close by,’ he added. ‘After Iran, it is coming back to what I know — home comforts.
‘I’ve come in this morning and I’m going out for my first training session and can’t wait — the first with a team, any team, in months.
‘County are a great team, they won the Championship last year. They’ve strengthened the squad and it is looking like being an exciting season.’
Erwin now reckons his grim experiences in Iran can act as added motivation as he tries to reboot his career in Scotland.
‘You look differently at the game, especially when you’ve missed being involved day-to-day for so long,’ he said.
‘There are small things you appreciate, even the changing room banter. Now I can just focus on playing, working hard, training, whereas before I maybe didn’t appreciate it as much.’
The Dingwall club fought off competition from Premiership rivals, plus teams in England’s Championship and League One, to complete the deal.
Co-manager Stuart Kettlewell, who also signed up ex-Rangers, Real Murcia and Wolves goalkeeper Jack Ruddy for six months, described the signings as a ‘massive coup’.
‘Lee has great experience in Scotland,’ he said. ‘We believe he can have a real impact in our squad. Signing him and Jack is a massive coup for us.
‘We wanted to run with four strikers, as we did last season, and Declan McManus has moved on to Falkirk. We felt Lee was the best option in that area.
‘He just wants an opportunity to go out and play and settle somewhere. We think we will find a good home for him here.’
County face Forfar at home tonight in their final League Cup group game, needing only a point to be certain of qualification for the knockout stage.