Brentford new boy Carl Cort may have attracted transfer fees of £9million during the course of his career, but Bees boss Andy Scott insists he is no Big Time Charlie and is out to prove it.
The 31-year-old put pen to paper on a five-month deal on Monday as he looks to relaunch his career having slipped down the football pyramid since the late Sir Bobby Robson was persuaded to pay £7million for his services at Newcastle United.
The news came 48 hours after Ben Strevens became the latest victim of the Bees’ centre-forward injury jinx when he broke his leg in Saturday’s 3-0 friendly win at Hayes & Yeading.
He follows Jordan Rhodes (metatarsal), Charlie MacDonald (shoulder) and Nathan Elder (fractured cheekbone) for a spell into a treatment room heavily populated by strikers in recent months.
Cort, wearing Elder’s number nine shirt, was unveiled at Tuesday’s pre-season media conference at the club’s Osterley training ground and made his bow in Tuesday’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Harrow Borough - a far cry from his days in the Premier League.
And the former Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leicester City and Norwich City man insists he is looking forward to the challenge of proving himself.
“ It's been a while since I started a season fit and ready so I feel good, but just because I've been at the clubs that I have been at, doesn't mean i'll just come here and be successful.
“I have to earn it and work hard and I’m willing to do that - I can’t wait for the season to start.
“There were a few other offers, but when this came up it was ideal for me. I spoke to a few of my friends who had been associated with the club and I felt it was right for me.
“The injury situation gives me a chance and it is up to me to make the most of it by building up some momentum and playing some games back to back.”
Cort’s arrival had been discussed before Strevens picked up the injury that sees him ruled for at least two months, with his return likely to coincide with MacDonald’s expected successful rehab from his own injury hell.
Scott, who is hunting another striker following Elder’s departure to Shrewsbury Town, says he wasn’t a panic purchase and is confident his big name status will not disrupt the unity in his close knit squad.
“We knew there was interest for Nathan and we’d seen Carl play for Wycombe and once we knew of Ben’s injury we were always going to bring him in,” he added.
“All Carl’s been talking about is training better, playing more games, how he wants to be involved and how he can improve, which is the attitude we want.
“He was probably going to be offered something at a couple of other clubs, but he liked the opportunity here and felt we could provide him with the ammunition to score goals.
“He wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t the right type. We can’t afford anyone disrupting things. He’ll fit in well with the lads, he’s down to earth and appreciates he’s got to work hard the same everyone else.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here