Swansea City's famous fan, John Hartson, may be a regular on Setanta TV these days, but it was satellite rivals Sky who managed to capture the former Welsh striker in his best pose last week.

As the Sky commentators were drooling over the footballing feast on display in the live Welsh derby, the cameras switched their focus from the pitch to one of the Liberty Stadium's executive boxes.

It was the perfect switch as big John was captured jumping for joy and hugging his fellow guests after watching Jordi Gomez fire home a free-kick that shot down the Bluebirds.

Sky, obviously delighted with themselves, included John's celebration in their post-match montages to leave everyone in Britain in no doubt where Hartson's loyalty lay.

"I can assure you the celebration wasn't staged for the camera,'' he joked. "It was genuine excitement.

"I think everyone in Swansea - and Cardiff - knows I'm a massive Swans fan and I was as pleased as every other Jack watching to see Jordi Gomez's goal go in.

"The boys who were watching the game on TV inside the box came out and said I was just on Sky celebrating. I thought they were joking until I had a text from a mate of mine watching the game out in Spain saying the same thing.''

While Hartson's presence at the game was a surprise to Sky, he's no stranger to the Liberty.

"I've got my own box there, but I don't use it as much as I would like,'' he adds. "Instead, all my mates turn up to use it and I'm just left with the bar bill!''

While his mates are making serious inroads into his bank balance, Hartson is taking major steps in securing himself a future off the field with a new career as a football pundit.

The Swansea-born hit-man has secured himself a long-term contract with Setanta TV covering the big games in Scotland, while also adding to S4C's coverage of the Welsh internationals. Throw in a regular weekly column in the Scottish Sun and Hartson is so busy these days that he's even had to get himself a diary for the first time.

"If there is one bit of advice I'd give to a professional footballer, it's start preparing early for the day you finish playing,'' he adds.

"For most footballers, everything is put on a plate for you. You are told when to get up, when to go to training, when to turn up for games, when to go to bed, and so on.

"Take it from me, the day you finish playing, it's a massive shock.''

Coupled with his media work, Hartson is also halfway through completing his 'A' licence in coaching; giving him another tick on his CV for the day "an appealing job in football'' comes around.

And having missed the chance to pull on a playing shirt for the Swans, he lives in hope that one day he may live part of his dream by being involved with the club he loves on a coaching basis.

"Yes, looking back, I'm obviously disappointed that I never got to play for the Swans,'' adds the former Luton, Arsenal, West Ham, Wimbledon, Coventry, Celtic and West Brom striker.

"I came close last season when I left West Brom. I had meetings with the Swans, but it wasn't to be.

"It was all done amicably. I've got a good relationship with Roberto (Martinez) and we always have a quick chat when we bump into each other at the gym at Swansea's training ground.

"In fact I watch the boys train on a regular basis and it's nice to catch up with the old boys like Alan Curtis and Colin Pascoe; players I used to watch from the terraces at the Vetch.

"Obviously I was disappointed at the time not to sign, but thinking about it now then maybe it was for the best. I'm not the type of person who just wants a clap off the crowd.

"I feel Swansea wouldn't have signed a John Hartson at his best; when I was 27 or 28 scoring for Celtic in Europe.

"And at 33 or 34, the thought of competing with the fit and hungry youngsters in the Swans squad is quite scary now,'' joked Hartson whose five year old son Johnny is currently with the club's Centre of Excellence.

So he's happy to leave the running to Swansea's new breed - a squad Hartson has been well impressed with, especially against Cardiff last week.

"I felt Swansea played really well,'' he added. "They were a joy to watch at times and deserved all the bragging rights, especially in front of a full house and the Sky cameras.

"I was very impressed with Ferrie Bodde, who looks like a Premiership player, and I thought the boys at the back defended really well.

"It was a shame they couldn't follow it up at Reading last Saturday, but I think the performance against Cardiff took a lot out of them.

"Hopefully they'll be back to their best against Wolves today.''

So if you see a big fella jumping about in the posh seats, you know who it is!