Raith Rovers midfielder Ross Callachan revealed that becoming a dad helped sway his decision to sign a new contract with the Kirkcaldy club.
Callachan, speaking after Raith’s 2-1 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday, turned down a possible move to Ross County over fears that he would spend too much time away from nine-month-old son Leo.
Callachan, who is based in Edinburgh, signed a new deal with Raith on Friday tying him to the club until 2017.
“Ross County were interested and they spoke to my agent, but I’m just delighted to sign here and hopefully keep progressing and getting better as a player, and doing well for the club,” he said.
“The main thing for my career is playing games and getting better. All the other stuff that comes with the contract is a bonus.
“I’ve established myself here and going to a new club I would need to show them what I can do.
“I’ve also got a kid now so it would be a life change going up there.
“I can’t think of anything worse than going up there, not playing, and not seeing my son.”
Callachan returned to the Raith side at Tynecastle after missing last week’s 4-0 defeat at Ibrox due to suspension, but he was unable to prevent Rovers falling to a fourth straight defeat.
The match was played in glorious sunshine, and at a pedestrian pace at times, but even with nothing left to play for, Hearts were simply too strong for Rovers, who turned in a better performance than at Ibrox.
Raith defended well in the early stages but the Jambos took the lead on 33 minutes as Osman Sow laid the ball off to Sam Nicholson, who created space in the Raith box to slam a low finish past the diving Kevin Cuthbert.
Raith had a great chance to level on 40 minutes as Mark Stewart’s cross fell to Ryan Conroy at the back post but the winger took too many touches then scooped a poor effort over the bar.
Hearts doubled their advantage 10 minutes after the break as Kevin Moon lost possession to Calum Paterson, who pulled the ball back for Soufian El Hassnaoui to steer a shot past Cuthbert from 18 yards.
Raith pulled a goal back in the 66th minute when Barrie McKay picked out Calum Elliot in the box, who side-stepped defender Alim Ozturk then fired past Scott Gallacher for his first league goal in 16 months.
Hearts were close to a third when Jamie Walker struck the post while Elliot almost earned a point for Raith with a powerful 30-yard effort that Gallacher pushed over the bar.
Raith boss Grant Murray was able to take positives, including a rare goal for Elliot.
“We’re always disappointed to lose games of football but as a manager I have to take positives from every game if I can and the players gave everything out there,” he said.
“We scored a good goal which is a massive positive for us because a lot of teams come here and don’t even get a shot at goal.
“Calum’s had to wait for an opportunity but I thought he done well. He was a nuisance up front, he used the ball well and got into good areas.”