05/12/2008 - Gorka more than happy to knuckle down
First there was the swim away, next the Ayatollah, then came Gorka Pintado's unique goal celebration.The Spaniard raced away before rubbing his head with his knuckles after scoring Swansea City's equaliser in last Sunday's derby draw with Cardiff City.
While the reasons behind the celebrations from team-mate Darren Pratley and Cardiff City's Ross McCormack are well known, Pintado's antics left Swansea City supporters scratching their heads, rather than rubbing them.
But the story of the celebration has now been revealed by El Toro, though what his next goal will trigger is being kept under wraps.
For a striker who has managed only three goals since moving to South Wales, Pintado has every reason to celebrate whichever way he wants.
A catalogue of minor injuries and the demands of British football meant a tough start to life at the Liberty Stadium, while Roberto Martinez believes he is now reaching just 70 per cent of his potential.
The general consensus on Pintado is that, at 100 per cent, he could be a real force for Swansea.
A big hit at former club Granada, Pintado is highly regarded by Swansea supporters despite starting just seven times since clinching his £100,000 transfer. But the 30-year-old is in bullish mood as he sets his sights on following up his derby heroics at Ashton Gate tomorrow.
"When I play with confidence I think I will score," said Pintado. "I don't remember my last goal (before Cardiff) but it was a long time ago.
"I feel okay, but scoring goals for strikers is important for your confidence.
"Against Cardiff I had the celebration planned. My friend from Granada has a little bit of hair on the front of his head and he asked me to rub my head if I scored.
"He travelled over to watch the Cardiff game, but it was a surprise for me. I didn't know they were coming here.
"For the next goal? I don't know. I haven't decided yet."
A man who Martinez believes has scoring goals in his blood, Pintado now has a fresher mentality after adapting to the busy schedule involved in football on these shores.
His superb finish in the home win over Nottingham Forest back in August gave a taster of his quality, while he also scored in the Carling Cup victory over Premier League outfit Hull City.
But regular two games a week were a shock to the system for Pintado. He now feels, though, he has acclimatised to the demands that faced him after swapping Spain for Swansea.
"I think I am ready for the British game but it has been difficult for my body a little bit. That frustrates me.
"For me it is harder because here we play twice a week. In Spain I only used to play once a week.
"I like it because I love playing more than one game a week - I want to play more games.
"But that means it is harder for my body.
"I was frustrated with my injuries at the start because I never had them before.
"For my mind it was a little bit difficult. Roberto, for me, knows best.
"He looks at me in training and knows how my body is.
"When I play I think of my opportunity and I need to take them game by game because we have other strikers here."
He may be new to English football but Pintado is no stranger to it.
In fact, he had already seen Lee Trundle kicking a ball at the Liberty before the latter's switch to Bristol City.
Pintado was invited to the Liberty by Martinez for Swansea's final game of the 2006-07 season as their slim play-off hopes were dashed by a 6-3 defeat to Blackpool.
And he admits that game whet his appetite for more, believing one day he would get to wear the white shirt.
"Yes, I know who he (Trundle) is," said Pintado. "I watched one game here against Blackpool.
"When I arrived I thought it was impossible - nine goals in one game. That is crazy.
"There were plenty of chances for both teams and my wife was very happy because she liked the game.
"But I knew one day I would like to play in that type of game.
"I don't know all the Bristol players because all the games and teams here are new for me.
"Maybe I will start, I don't know. It is not for me to decide.
"When I go into a game I give 100 per cent if I am on the bench or in the starting XI."