CSI: Paisley? Zach’s partner aids and abets rise to the top
Zach Hemming hopes facing Rangers for the first time today will be the latest step forward in his career.
And the St Mirren goalie admits he couldn’t be hoping to reach the top without the support of his partner Caitlin.
She has put her career in crime scene investigation on hold to help the on-loan Middlesbrough man concentrate on football.
He said: “She was really enjoying it. When we were back home it was easy, I had the two kids when she was working.
“But if I was to be away then I think she’d struggle with the two kids on her own. That’s why I think she said they’d move up and just concentrate on my career instead.
“I’m lucky to have her. She is three hours from home, she doesn’t see her family, she doesn’t do her career, she does whatever I want to do.
“She’s got to take credit as much as I do.
“Obviously, me being settled up here, I think it’s really helped with my performances.
“She lost her mum recently, who was only 42. We went down for the funeral last Thursday and it was a tough day. It was a tough week for the family and it was a tough week for her.”
The 23-year-old was on loan at Kilmarnock from Middlesbrough for two seasons and decided to make it a hat-trick in Scotland when he moved to from Teesside to Paisley in the summer.
His ambition is to make it big in England, he is under contract at Boro until 2026, but success in the SPFL Premiership can only help that.
Hemming said: “I played for Kilmarnock last season, but didn’t get to play Celtic or Rangers.
“This game against Rangers is on the telly, so a lot of my mates will be watching to see how we do.
“We’ve started the season well and we’re unbeaten in the league.”
“There’s a lot of pressure but it’s good pressure. I like pressure.”
Hemming knows Marcus Tavernier, brother of Gers captain James Tavernier, very well. He went on: “I was on trial with Newcastle when he was there and when I signed for Middlesbrough, he came there as well.
“I ended up being quite close to him and we went on a few holidays.
“He has done well. He got released by Newcastle, did well at Middlesbrough and has now made it to the Premier League with Bournemouth.
“It’s a good one for people to look at. Even if you get something negative in your career, if you keep working hard you can get something good out of it.
“He has worked as hard as he could and ended up getting to the Premier League. Hopefully, I can do the same.”
Although Hemming has been with Middlesbrough for nearly 10 years, he supports one of their local rivals.
He said: “I grew up a Sunderland fan. I’ve never missed them being at Wembley, I went every time.
“When I wasn’t playing, I went to their games because I liked watching them. I like taking the kids as well.
“I had trials at Newcastle and Sunderland before Middlesbrough signed me.
“I’d like a chance at Middlesbrough. I’ve been there since I was 14. I’ve been there a few years now and the aim is to get to the first team.