Difficult for me to go out in Ghana -Kingston

LARYEA KINGSTON wants to inspire another title triumph - and this time it won't turn him into a social recluse as it did back in his homeland.

The Hearts midfielder has revealed the price of fame as a top star in Ghana is being left with a choice between staying bunkered up at home in Accra or running the risk of being mobbed in the street.

Kingston, 26, shot to fame in the African country when he led Hearts of Oak to three championships. Now he'd like to experience similar success with the Jambos, knowing it wouldn't cost him his private life in Edinburgh.

Speaking from the Tynecastle side's pre-season training camp in Germany, Kingston said: "Hearts have the potential to win something at the end of the season. Our ultimate goal is to win the league and we can do it.

"In Ghana, it is very difficult for me to go out on the street because people see me and jump on me.

"It's very difficult for guys such as me, Michael Essien and Stephen Appiah to go to certain places, such as shops and popular restaurants. Even with a disguise they would still recognise you.

"If I'm walking along the street in Edinburgh sometimes guys call out from their cars and ask how I am and I give them a wave.

"But it's more crazy in Accra. If I park my car and go into a shop, by the time I come out a crowd has already gathered around it. If I'm driving and people see me, they surround my car and you have to slow right down and drive very carefully.

"Sometimes the pressure gets too much when people want to reach out and touch you. It gives me a headache.

"I need my privacy sometimes and that means when I'm back in Ghana I usually only go to very quiet restaurants or stay at home and invite friends over."

Kingston will be thrust back into the full glare of the spotlight in January when his country are lone hosts of African Nations Cup for the first time since 1978, The Hearts ace is back in favour with the national side after missing last year's World Cup with a four-match ban that followed a red card in an African Nations Cup game.

Kingston said: "The African Nations Cup is getting closer and the pressure in Ghana is growing and growing. We will be favourites because we're on form and winning games.

"Nigeria always do well and the Ivory Coast and Cameroon will also be dangerous but winning the Cup is our aim."

Kingston hopes Hearts will be right in the mix at the top of the SPL when he heads off in search of glory with his national side.

He impressed while on loan at Tynecastle for the second half of last season and reckons he will be even more settled in Scotland for the new campaign.

Kingston's sons Jake, nine, and Gerard, five, will join his wife and their sister Beyonce, three, in Edinburgh next month. And his brother Richard "Magic Hands" Kingston has just signed for Birmingham.

Hearts fly home this weekend after games on Friday and Saturday and will fine-tune preparations for the new campaign from Riccarton.

Kingston said: "I can't say we're at 100 per cent yet because we still have two weeks to go until the start of the season but we've worked hard in training and will find our rhythm by the time the season kicks off."