Both my parents were keen golfers and Dad was such a creature of habit that he didn't see much of me at Ayr United because he always played a round on Saturdays. He was an old-school parent of his time and I've no complaints.

The quote "Both my parents were keen golfers and Dad was such a creature of habit that he didn't see much of me at Ayr United because he always played a round on Saturdays. He was an old-school parent of his time and I've no complaints" by Steve Nicol offers a reflection on his relationship with his father and his upbringing. Nicol points out that while his father was passionate about golf, his dedication to the sport meant that he missed many of Nicol’s football matches. This demonstrates his father's commitment to his own interests, highlighting the generational differences in how parents engaged with their children’s activities.

The reference to his father being a "creature of habit" implies that his dad was a person who stuck firmly to his routine, prioritizing his golf games over attending his son's football matches at Ayr United. However, Nicol adds that he has no complaints, indicating that while his father's actions may have seemed distant or detached, there was no resentment. This suggests that Nicol understood his father's commitment to his own passions and routines, accepting it as a product of the times and the way parents often behaved in that era.

Nicol’s mention of his father being an "old-school parent" reflects the cultural norms of that period, where fathers may have been less involved in day-to-day activities with their children compared to today’s more hands-on parenting styles. Despite this, Nicol emphasizes that he has no issues with it, suggesting a level of understanding and acceptance of the generational differences in parental behavior.

In essence, the quote sheds light on the parent-child relationship shaped by time and personal habits. Nicol’s reflection indicates that while his father’s focus on golf might have kept him away from some of Nicol's milestones, he does not hold any bitterness. Instead, it paints a picture of a respectful and somewhat detached but still meaningful relationship between father and son.