Strip club visit improved my popularity says Aston Villa star

May 24 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Sunday Mercury

“He is a cult figure without question.”

O’Neill accepts that football fans often love a rogue, but he insists simply being a lad about town is not enough to earn a player adulation.

The manager suggests that Carew’s scorching scoring streak could also be responsible for the hero-worship now coming his way.

And he believes that hearing his name constantly chanted by the claret and blue brigade has taken Carew’s game onto anPopularity.

“Whatever you say about our fans you can be a cult figure for a certain amount of time but you have to do something to earn it and the one thing that has enhanced his popularity is getting goals,” said O’Neill.

“I do think the constant cheering of him has obviously helped his confidence as well, as it would do. It’s a wee bit like Henrik Laursen at Celtic.

“If you have your first name chanted all the time, even when you’re having a poor time of it, which Henrik did for about ten minutes, then that approval from the crowd definitely keeps you going.

“It’s been pretty important, but he is a bit of a cult hero.”

Although Carew’s out-of-hours antics have raised a few eyebrows, the 29-year-old insists goalscoring superstition is the motivation for his latest look.

The fashion-conscious frontman recently had tiger stripes shaved into his brows and admits it has resulted in a prolific flurry of goals.

“It was the hairdresser’s idea and I’ve been sticking with it lately,” said Carew.

“Maybe because I’ve been scoring goals it’s a lucky thing.

“I’ve had it for a couple of months and maybe I’ll let it grow out again if I don’t score.

“It’s been good goals wise because I’ve been scoring a lot of goals in not too many games. It’s a shame I didn’t get to play all season.

“I’m really looking forward to next season already.

“I’m in good shape and I just want to continue and maintain my good form and train well so I’m ready to go when I come back after the summer.”