Steven Caulker admits that joining Dundee has helped rekindle his love for the game and fired his determination to ultimately make a return to the English Premier League.
Dens boss Neil McCann stunned Scottish football – and beyond – when he managed to persuade the former Spurs, Cardiff City, Liverpool and Queens Park Rangers centre-half to sign an 18-month contract with the Dark Blues last month.
The 26-year-old, who has also been capped by England, has had well-publicised off-field problems in recent times.
However, Caulker admits that moving to Scotland to join Dundee was a perfect fit as he looks to get his career back on track.
He explained how the move came about, saying: “I had spoken with Neil before and then I told him I was going to be up in Alloa for a family funeral.
“He came to meet me that night and we had a good conversation. I loved what he was saying and I just thought it was the right time for me in my career to come away from everything back home, get my head down and play some games.
“He is a man I feel I can trust and it just fitted perfectly.
“The funeral kind of brought everything together, meeting up with family.
“I am now living with my auntie and uncle in Kinross. They are a great help to me as I can’t drive at the moment.
“It was the whole package really – Neil McCann, getting game time and having my family around me as a support network.
“Kinross is good if a bit different from London! It is nice as it is peaceful and away from everything.
“You just train and go home as there is not much else to do which is a good thing for me really.”
Caulker added: “I had other offers, mainly from abroad and obviously financially you can get the gain from moving there.
“But I just wanted to get my love back for football. That was the most important thing.
“I’d had a tough time at QPR and stuff so I wanted to get back playing with a smile on my face and the gaffer could offer me that.
“Financially, it is nowhere near what it was abroad but it wasn’t about the money for me – it was about getting games.
“I am really enjoying things. It has been nice to get back and have some games.
“It has been a while since I have been able to play a few games a week.
“All the boys have been supportive and I have good family up here and back home.
“But ultimately I want to get back to the Premier League. I know I am capable of it having been there.
“That is my long-term aim to get back to that level but for the time being, I am really enjoying my experience here.”
When asked if he had already regained his love of football, he said: “Yes, straightaway. Walking in, it felt like I had been here a long time. There is a great bunch of boys and it sort of reminds me of my time back at Yeovil when I first started.
“There is a real family group here and a lot of honesty in the dressing-room so I have loved it.
“It is a pleasure to come in every day.
“There are a lot of good characters and there is always a laugh and banter at every training session.
“Of course, there is still pressure to go and win games but it is not the same intensity I was under back home at bigger clubs.
“I have played three games but it was disappointing that the Celtic match was called off as I was building a bit of momentum and wanted to keep going.
“But I am getting fitter every day and if I am selected against St Johnstone, I will be raring to go.”
Caulker admitted he had been bowled over by the reception he has had from the Dundee fans.
He said: “That’s been massive for me as I was low on confidence.
“I had played for so long with an injury and there were the off-field issues.
“The welcome has been great from all the fans.”
Caulker confessed that he had not even watched football on the TV for a long time until he came to Dundee.
Now though he can’t get enough of it and will be tuning in to loads of matches this weekend.
He added: “It is funny as I haven’t watched football for years.
“I shied away from it just because I was having a horrendous experience.
“But since I have been here, I have been watching it every night!
“I could tell you every game that has been on this week so yes, I will be watching the games down south closely this weekend and obviously there is the Old Firm derby as well which will be interesting for me.”
Although he has played for England in a friendly, Caulker also qualifies for Scotland through his grandmother.
He previously turned down the chance to play for this country but he has not ruled it out if the opportunity arose in the future.
He said: “I spoke to Craig Levein when he was Scotland coach a few years ago when I was about 18 or 19.
“Obviously I wanted to try England at the time and I was in and around the squad so it wasn’t right for me then.
“I would never discount it though. Playing at any international level is an honour so if it became available in the future it is something I would consider.”
