My heart was set on Latics — Simpson

ROBBIE SIMPSON in action for Athletic on Saturday.

ROBBIE Simpson had a glint in his eye for Athletic as early as last season, the club's new on-loan striker revealed.

The 26-year-old Huddersfield Town player finally put an end to a protracted chase that began in the summer by committing himself to the club for the next three months.

The switch was wrapped up on Friday after Simpson had made a personal request to Huddersfield's chairman Dean Hoyle to sanction the loan move hours earlier.

And the former Coventry player almost marked his debut as a substitute against Stevenage with a winning goal, flicking the roof of the net with a late free-kick.

"I came here last season with Brentford and was really impressed, especially with the manager," said Simpson, who hails from Knebworth, just outside Stevenage.

"We were absolutely battered that day and even though the scoreline was 2-1, it could easily have been four or five.

"Even in the game at Griffin Park, where I was watching from the stand, I could see what Paul Dickov was going to bring to Oldham and the type of team he wanted to develop.

"As soon as I heard of the interest in the summer, I wanted to get here."

After fielding public criticism from Huddersfield boss Lee Clark last week for his apparent reluctance to depart the Galpharm Stadium on loan, Simpson was happy to put the record straight.

"I was a bit down on Thursday as a few things had happened," he added, after joining good friend and club-mate Nathan Clarke in crossing the Pennines.

"I have had a few clubs after me and I will be honest, I have turned a few down.

"For personal reasons I have wanted to stay within an hour of my home in Leeds to be close to my brother, as we have had some terrible circumstances happen in the family.

"I also wanted to stay in League One at least because I feel I am good enough to play at this level and have proved it.

"They are the reasons I have turned down the clubs that I have and another reason is that I wanted to play for Oldham.

"I am delighted I am finally here.”