Hard times motivate Distin

Friday 23 December, 2005

Manchester City defender Sylvain Distin has revealed that he just thinks of the hard times if he ever gets complacent.

The former Paris Saint-Germain player is the captain at the City of Manchester stadium and is regarded as one of the top defenders in the Premiership – but it hasn’t always been so rosy.

“It was a painful period to live through,” he said. “I could see myself going home for the festivities empty-handed or with a simple bouquet for my mother.

“I just didn't have the means to offer my parents a present if I wanted to be able to eat the following month.

“The secret of success for me has been giving everything and working very hard in training. I did not want to make the same mistakes again after my experience with PSG. I was given a second chance and I seized hold of it.”