The past six months have been anything but plainsailing for Andrew Hogg but the Malta goalkeeper has been striving to channel the anger caused by his enforced hiatus from football into motivation to come back stronger than ever.
Not so long ago, Hogg was considered as one of the most exciting goalkeepers in Greek football after impressing for AEL Kalloni but his situation changed dramatically this season.
Amid the club’s toils to hold their own in the Super League, Hogg’s relationship with the AEL Kalloni hierarchy deteriorated to the point that he filed a complaint against the club over breach of contract before heading back to Malta together with his young family in February.
“My case against AEL Kalloni has been referred to a Greek tribunal,” Hogg told The Sunday Times of Malta.
“It’s still on-going but I’m 100 per cent a free agent.”
A dismal season for AEL Kalloni ended with the club losing their Super League status after finishing bottom in the championship.
Hogg said the roots of AEK Kalloni’s problems can be traced back to last summer.
“The team went from harbouring ambitions to play in Europe to fighting against relegation,” the 31-year-old said.
“There were a lot of changes during the summer and things started going wrong. They brought in several new players and there was a bad vibe from day one.
“I’ve played 60 games for this club but it’s in difficult times that the people around you show their true colours.
“I didn’t like the way the players were being treated.
“I also felt that the club had disrespected me and that’s when I decided that it was the right time to leave in order to protect my career and my family.”
While Hogg is pleased to see the back of the 2015/16 season, he can’t wait to get his career back on track.
Overseas clubs have expressed an interest in signing Hogg but he is also open to the possibility of returning to the Maltese League.
“There’s interest from Cyprus, Greece and Holland but a return to Maltese football is also a strong possibility,” Hogg said.
Asked if reports that he is already engaged in negotiations with Birkirkara were true, Hogg replied that the Stripes are one of the clubs that have shown an interest in signing him.
“I’m in a position where I’m weighing up my options,” he said.
“I’m taking my time to assess all the proposals and eventually make a decision that I think suits me best.”
Hogg admitted that he has found it hard to cope with his lengthy absence from the game but he has tried to remain positive.
“This has certainly been the most difficult period in my career so far,” he remarked.
“I’ve received a lot of support from my partner, Sabrina, and my family.
“I’ve tried to transform my frustration into motivation and hunger to get back. It’s been very tough, especially mentally, but I’ve continued to train regularly.
“In a way, it was also a good time for me to reflect and work hard on things that I wanted to improve.”
Hogg’s lack of first-team football has also resulted in his exclusion from the national squad for the upcoming friendly matches against the Czech Republic and Austria but he still figures prominently in Pietro Ghedin’s plans.
These setbacks have only reinforced Hogg’s resolve to return to his best.
“I’m motivated and determined to prove myself all over again for club and country,” Hogg said.