BIG INTERVIEW My father, Gazza & how it was my destiny to play in Scotland
Gogic’s been immersed in football
A ROAR would go up from behind the goal at the Olympic Stadium in Athens.
But the notorious Gate 7 Ultras weren’t celebrating a winning goal or a last-gasp victory for their beloved Olympiacos.
It was half-time and a little kid was firing balls into the back of the net for fun. There wasn’t even a goalie. But every time the boy scored, they cheered.
The reason for their delight? The child in question was Alex Gogic, son of the club’s star striker Sinisa.
The guy who was banging goals in for them in the Champions League.
For young Alex – who was only six or seven – the response he got from Olympiacos supporters was the start of his love affair with the game.
A romance that continues in Paisley to this day.
Given Gogic’s upbringing, it’s really no surprise that he plays in the Premiership with such passion and desire.
His Serbian-born dad was obsessed with the game, even in his army days before the break-up of Yugoslavia.
Eventually, Sinisa left his homeland for Cyprus where he made a home before moving to Greece.
And the influence he had on his son was always going to lead Alex into football.
Even now, when they speak every day, there’s only one topic on the agenda.
And maybe it was written in the stars that Gogic would end up in Scotland.
Growing up, his dad told him about the night he played against Rangers at Ibrox for previous club Anorthosis Famagusta in a crucial Champions League qualifier.
It was Paul Gascoigne’s first competitive game for Walter Smith’s side, who eventually won the tie.
Gogic junior was only a baby in 1995 but, as he grew older, he learned all about Gazza.
Incredibly, 22 years later, he was on the same pitch in Govan taking on Rangers for Hamilton Accies.
And he has been a regular visitor there for Hibs and St Mirren after that.
When the 29-year-old reflects on the career he’s had, it’s impossible for him not to reference Sinisa’s role – going way back to those days in Greece’s capital.
In an exclusive interview with MailSport, the Cypriot international said: “I remember my dad playing for Olympiacos. I would actually sit on the bench while the game was going on.
“The players would laugh when I
I lived life of player from a young age .. it impacted what I would want to do ALEX GOGIC SAYS HIS DAD WAS A GREAT INFLUENCE
imitated the coach. It was more relaxed back then. Olympiacos allowed the sons of the players to come to the g ames and be involved.
“It was the old Olympic Stadium at that time because the new one was being built.
“So at half-time I’d play football in the goalmouth. When I scored a goal all the Olympiacos ultras would cheer.
“For someone so young that was amazing to experience.
“There were so many fans there and to see them celebrating as I hit the ball into the net – for a kid that felt like a dream come true.
“I was lucky to be able to live that when I was so young.
“My dad played in the Champions League against teams like Juventus, FC Porto and Real Madrid. And he scored against most of them.
“At Olympiacos he was winning trophies (three Greek titles and a Super Cup) so I got used to seeing that.
“I remember the fiestas when they won something. All my memories are of
holding cups and I think that’s what made me fall in love with the game.
“My dad was a massive influence on me. When you’re a footballer your life affects everyone around you.
“When he won we were all happy. It impacted his wife, his kids, everyone.
“When he lost everyone was sad. So he had a huge influence on me as a kid.
“On my days off, like the Easter holidays, I would go to the training ground with him every day.
“I got to live the life of a footballer from a young age and there’s no doubt that impacted what I wanted to do.”
Almost 30 years have passed from that Rangers v Anorthosis tie in the Champions League.
At the time, the magnitude of it was huge for the Scottish club – especially after the arrival of Gascoigne from Lazio that summer.
After a 1- 0 victory at Ibrox, Gers scraped a 0-0 draw in Cyprus to qualify for the lucrative group stage.
But the first leg in Glasgow left its mark on Sinisa Gogic.
Alex said: “I was still a baby when my dad played in that game.
“But when I signed in Scotland for the first time he told me about it. He played against some great Rangers players that night and always remembered the fans in the stadium. I know he enjoyed it.
“It’s crazy because one of my first ever games for Hamilton was at Ibrox and my dad came to watch.
“That must have brought back some big memories for him.
“To think his son was just a baby when he played there – and now he was back watching me.
“My dad told me about Gascoigne and how big he was for Rangers.
“As I got older I heard more stories about him, not just as a character but also what a player he was. He’s a legend.”
Alex was born in Cyprus and has emulated his father by playing for their national team.
But their Serbian heritage is something that will never leave them.
Even now, it’s the first language in the Gogic household.
Sinisa – now a coach who recently left the assistant manager’s job at Russian outfit FC Krasnodar – still has an influence on his son’s career and watches all of St Mirren’s games.
Alex said: “My dad actually played futsal when he had to join the army in Yugoslavia. He was supposed to play for his country but got a bad injury. He moved from his home city of Nis to Belgrade and after that went to Cyprus.
“That’s where my dad made a name for himself – he was a big star.
“He still is today if you mention my dad’s name in Cyprus or Greece.
“Even the rival teams that hated him show respect for his name because of the type of player he was.
“He’s still proud of where he came from in Serbia. It’s a small country but has a good reputation in sports like football, basketball and tennis.
“In our house we still only speak Serbian because that’s where both of my parents are from.
“I talk to my own son and daughter in Serbian. It’s about tradition. I’m proud to be half Serbian, half Cypriot.
“My dad is still involved in football and watches all of my games and we speak daily.
“Why am I not a striker like he was? “I think he nutmegged me too many times when I was a kid and I was just trying to kick the ball – so that side of my game took over!”
Gogic has spent the last seven years in Scottish football and is now a cult hero at St Mirren. He’s also a vital player for Stephen Robinson as they look to secure European football next season.
But with his contract expiring this summer, he might have the option of returning to Cyprus or Greece.
He said: “Some days I do miss the hot weather.
“I’m used to Scotland but, of course, I’m open to moving abroad again.
“I’d like to test myself in a different type of league but I’m not sure what the future looks like right now.
“I’m just concentrating on getting the club into Europe then we’ll see what is best for me and my family.
“When I left Swansea as a young player I had a couple of months without a team.
“I decided to test myself in Scotland. We had some Scottish boys at Swansea so I asked them about the game here.
“I chose to play in the Championship for Hamilton, instead of the lower tiers in England or back in Greece.
“I took a chance coming here but I loved it from day one.
“I’m glad I made that decision now. Scottish people are so warm, I fell in love with them.
“I’ve enjoyed every moment – and I still am.”