Conor McCarthy says keeping a disciplined diet won’t be a problem during the lockdown - as his mum binned the biscuits!
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the former Cork City defender is back home on Leeside with St Mirren’s permission.
McCarthy made the switch to the SPL when the Buddies signed himself and Dundalk’s Jamie McGrath in the January window.
And while the move has gone well, he admits the chastening 5-0 defeat to Celtic earlier this month was a sobering experience.
Now he is in limbo, wondering when - and if - football around Europe will resume.
McCarthy is training at home and said: “I’m actually really disciplined. We know we have to look after ourselves and that’s part of the job.
“I have to thank my mother for that. She realised I can’t be eating tins of biscuits so she generally doesn’t bring them into the house.
“Whatever I say I can’t eat, she has been really on top of her game so I have to thank her. If I was on my own in Scotland I think it would be different!
“There is no set day for when the season starts up but I think most footballers will be disciplined in that respect.”
Until last season’s disappointing campaign, McCarthy was used to challenging at the top end of the table with Cork City.
That is not the case in Scotland where St Mirren sit fourth from bottom and the defeat to Celtic earlier this month was a rude awakening.
“It was strange going to Celtic knowing that you weren’t expected to get anything from the game,” McCarthy told PA.
“One minute you are fighting for leagues in Ireland and then in a couple of months, you see that these lads are away ahead of you.
“There is no doubt that Celtic are the best team in the league and the quality of players was at a different level.
“I watched the game back and there was stuff that the Celtic players did that I can take into my game.
“It was a tough watch but these are the things you need to do. You have to learn, that is the only way you are going to improve.”
