Buddies deal allows Gogic to prolong his Scottish love affair
Alex Gogic’s career took an unexpected turn when he moved to Scotland but the St Mirren defender’s new three-year deal will take him to a decade of football in his adopted country.
The 30-year-old Cyprus international signed for then cinch Premiership side Hamilton from Swansea in 2017 and after joining Hibernian three years later, he moved to the Buddies in 2022, after an initial loan spell.
Gogic, whose new contract was announced on Tuesday, loves life in Scotland as St Mirren, in fifth, look to move closer to European football next season when they host fourth-placed Kilmarnock on Saturday.
“I didn’t (think about playing in Scottish football) when I was younger,” he said. “No, not really but things go different ways, you can’t plan things. I love it here, my family as well, we are settled.
“My agent called me and asked if I wanted to try out at Hamilton. I said yes, I would rather play in the top division in Scotland than lower leagues in England.
“I think my trial with the under-23s was against Rangers and the second one was against Ross County so I went to the Highlands on trial.
“It was good – I got four seasons in one day as well. Football-wise it was good. I loved every minute of it. My dad (Sinisa Gogic) also played against Rangers for Anorthosis so he told me all about Scotland as well.
“I love everything about Scotland, the people, the country – not the weather but I am used to it now. When the sun is out you can’t beat Scotland.” With three fixtures remaining, ahead St of Mirren Dundee are and five Gogic points is dreaming of European football next term.
He said: “Last season we finished in the top six but after the split we only got two points.
“The gaffer’s point was we have to do better this season. Three games left and hopefully we finish on a high.
“With the quality we have and the quality I see every day I think European football should be our goal.
“Obviously the club is not the biggest in Scotland with budget and stuff but with the quality the gaffer has brought in we should be able to do that.
“I have always dreamed of playing in Europe. It would be amazing. I have played with my national team and to play with a boss offers player Meanwhile, different came The Derek my for of 19-year-old club the PFA through feeling.” Mcinnes year Scotland team Kilmarnock David the would midfielder expects young Killie Watson. be fourth academy, place and helping in European the the cinch club football Premiership to brilliant? Mcinnes next season. What said: a “Is story it not it is. just me “A about lot of managers him, people speak on the to street, supporters from other clubs, they always make reference to David Watson. “He is a credit to his family, he is their boy, but we feel that he is ours at the club, he has been around the club for so long. “I think we should expect speculation about Davie, we should expect clubs to be more than aware of him, bigger clubs than us. “That’s the way it goes. We would be surprised if there wasn’t.”