New striker keen to focus on football at Ross County
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New Ross County striker Dominic Samuel is looking forward to leaving distractions in his past and focusing on his football in Dingwall.
The 27-year-old has left England for the first time to make the move north, having previously turned out for Reading, Blackburn Rovers and most recently Gillingham.
He has been unlucky with injuries, including a hamstring issue last season that ruled him out for three months.
Coming to County, though, Samuel is hopeful of a fresh start where he can play regularly and score plenty of goals.
“Obviously the injuries have played a part, but I’m doing everything I can to stay on top of it,” he said.
“There are things going on behind closed doors that are keeping me fit.
“That’s just football sometimes – you win some, you lose some, and you are going to get injuries.
“I’ve learned from my injuries, I’m looking after my body. The main thing now is to get a run of games going and get back to my best.
“You can stay focused away from family and friends.
“If you want to do the best job you can, sometimes you’ve got to put all that behind you and just focus on playing.
“I think this is the perfect place to come and enjoy my football, do well with the team and learn under a good manager.”
Focusing on football may sound easier said than done considering Samuel has uprooted from London to the Highlands while a pandemic is still going on.
He could not have asked for more upon arriving at County though, saying he immediately felt at home with the Staggies.
“All the facilities are top of the range here,” Samuel insisted.
“I spoke to the manager, he told me his plan for what he wants to do, and the coaching staff and everyone at the club has made me feel so welcome.
“Especially coming all the way from London, I think that was one of the main things – I wanted to feel like it was home.
“They were really good with that, obviously they’ve all played football so they have been there and done that, and the squad too.
“They’ve got everything here that a player needs, so there will be no excuses.”
There can often be something of a dismissive attitude from English pundits towards Scottish football, but Samuel says the biggest surprise in his mind came away from the club.
“To be fair, what took me back was just how nice Scotland is,” he explained.
“I’ve never really been to Scotland before, I thought it was just lots of fields and trees.
“Where I’m staying at the moment, it’s a lovely place and a lovely area. Everyone is nice, and it feels like I haven’t really left London.
“It’s a wonderful place, and I think that’s one of the main things that made me feel comfortable when I first arrived, there are some really nice people around and the club has made me feel so welcome.”
