JASON SCOTLAND has revealed how he put his honeymoon on hold – because he knew Swansea was the perfect match for him.
The Trinidad talisman got hitched to sweetheart Nimphe in Scotland in the summer, just days before linking up with his new team-mates for the first time.
But although it may be a tough way to start married life, Scotland insists the offer of proving himself south of the border was the challenge he had been waiting for.
“The wedding had been planned for a long while, so there wasn’t much we could do about it,” said the 28-year-old ex-World Cup star.
“We didn’t have much time afterwards and we didn’t have a honeymoon.
“But I always wanted to prove myself here so we just accepted it.
“I could have opted for an easy life and stayed and not test myself, but I wanted to push on and see how far I could go.”
Scotland plans to get married again in his native country next year having begun a new life in South Wales.
But that in itself has been tough on the former St Johnstone and Dundee United frontman, who admits Scotland had become a second home to him.
“When I moved clubs in Scotland I moved 20 minutes away – now I’ve moved eight hours!” he said. “It was a tough choice to leave, the people were lovely there and a lot of them were asking me why I wanted to move. But I told them I wanted that challenge, I didn’t want to stand still.
“People had told me the English leagues were tougher, even though I had played at a really tough level in the SPL. But I wanted the change and to find out for myself.”
Now League One defenders are finding out all about Scotland, who has already won the hearts of some Swans fans with his all-action displays.
He had a real cult following in Scotland, where they released a record in his honour prior to the World Cup in Germany and inspired the Tartan Army to follow Trinidad & Tobago’s progress in Germany.
And the barrel-chested striker is hoping he can keep on the supporters’ good side at Swansea, especially with his ability to match the beauty and the brawn.
“We’re playing some great football, but we also know we have to be ready to battle,” he said.
“And I am prepared for that. I was always built this way, but I still had to toughen up when I first came over to Britain.
“The game in Trinidad was quite slow and the heat was a factor, so it took me two years to get used to the difference.
“It was always tough and physical in Scotland and I had to get used to that physical side of things.
“But I think I’ve done that. I feel I am now ready to play to my strength and use that to get goals.”