It was a race against time for Robbie Crawford to secure his visa allowing him to play his football in the states after agreeing terms with USL Championship outfit Charleston Battery.

Fast-forward just a few short weeks from their frantic season opener against Atlanta United 2 in the second tier and all the former Rangers youngster has is time.

In lockdown like the rest of the world, Crawford - having not yet even made his competitive debut for his new club - has been forced to adapt to new surroundings in the most bizarre of circumstances. As coronavirus continues to sweep the globe, South Carolina and the apartment complex rented by his new club has become the midfielder's home.

Not that it fazes the 27-year-old too much. And why would it? Crawford became one of the few Scottish talents to move abroad to play his football back in 2017 when he joined Iceland's FH to start a new chapter of his career. Proof that the player is willing to sample new experiences and that he is adaptable. A spell in Finland followed two years later before he found himself in the USA.

Moving from country to country is one thing. Spending the first few months at a new club, in a new country is another thing entirely. At least he is not alone. "My girlfriend Ellen is luckily out here with me so we've just been getting up, doing a workout and going a run before staying in," Crawford said. "We've thankfully not seen too much of the situation in terms of going outside, breaking rules and getting into trouble. South Carolina went into lockdown officially this week.

"It's been a bonus timing wise Ellen getting here. Had it been a few weeks of a difference she wouldn't have made it over and, being in a new place, it would've been a lot tougher. So it's been a bit of a blessing.

"I flew over here mid-January when the club were having some trial weeks. One of the lads I played with in Iceland told me about them so I spoke to the coach and they were keen to have me over. The sessions went well, I think we were both impressed and then it was just about negotiating the contract and then I signed a day or two before official pre-season started.

"It's possible that I would have been stranded in the UK and unable to come back, had this happened a week or so earlier. It was literally the day before the league opener I travelled back to the US overnight. My visa got approved slightly earlier than expected so I made it for the league opener. A few days later we were told to stay away from training and the league went into shutdown.

"The club own and rent a lot of apartments in a complex and it's in a really nice area with a gym and pool. The majority of guys are living here so we're all near by. We're sticking to the social distancing, of course.

"But we've hardly touched the ball. It's crazy to think I've not had my debut start yet, having signed in January. But there's been quite a few new signings for the club so we're all pretty much in the same boat."

Maintaining a level of fitness and a training structure is vital for Crawford. Helpful, then, that his coaches and teammates are leading double sessions via Zoom calls. "There's been a loss of structure but if we can work from home it's better than nothing," he added. "We've been given a programme from the club and started a Zoom call for training as a team. The coach takes it and we'll do exercise that way. It's a good way of keeping in touch with everyone, keeping on top of training.

"We have a yoga session once a week but [training is] usually pretty tough going. Everyone is set up in their living room or balcony or garden with the laptop set up. Coaches will take it or senior players sometimes. Different cardio, different body weight exercises and core stuff. A few of the guys live with another teammate so some can do a little bit of ball work.

"It's a good routine and good to see everyone. Coaches can keep us informed and we get our training in so it's been good. It keeps us ticking over."

Uncertainty continues to reign in Scottish football with clubs placing players and staff on furlough and others asking their stars to defer wages or accept massive pay cuts. Crawford, though, is in a somewhat privileged position in some respects with Battery owner Rob Salvatore often arranging his own Zoom conversations to keep players in the know.

Crawford said: "I still keep in touch with a lot of boys from back home and have seen different situations like furlough and things like that. Thankfully for us there's been no chat of that as a club. We've been given a fair bit of assurances, generally speaking, that we won't be affected too much.

"The owners of the club are really organised and top guys. They've been in a couple of the Zoom calls to keep us updated so from a club perspective I don't think there's much more they can do for us. I'm quite fortunate to be in this position."

Had ex-Light Blues ace Crawford still been plying his trade in Scotland, there is no telling where he would be or how Covid-19 may have affected him and his livelihood. Having spent 15 years of his career at Ibrox, playing 53 games in all competitions, Crawford is certain he made the correct decision to up-sticks and try something new.

But, as is the case with so many other footballers in this country, the option to bounce around various different lower league clubs in the SPFL was there, and was exactly what he did for a few seasons. Then something changed. And the former Raith and Morton player would endorse any move abroad for Scottish stars.

"I had left Rangers a few months before I first went to Iceland and I'd spent 15 years of my life there," Crawford said. "You get used to the bubble and barely know anything else is out there because you're so focused on being inside the club.

"I always had it in my head that if I ever did leave Rangers I'd quite like to go abroad. There's not many clubs in Scotland you can move up to after you leave Rangers. So I felt like that chapter of my career had come to an end and the chance to go to Iceland came up. Obviously it was then really appealing to play in the Europa League and Champions League qualifiers.

"It's not easy but I think that's part of what excited me about it. I always felt it would lead to more opportunities rather than just staying in Scotland. I've been very fortunate and it's never really occurred to me to go back home after this opportunity came up.

"I've never regretted it and if anyone ever asked me, I'd help them out if they planned to go abroad. I'd only have positive things to say about it. It can be quite an easy cycle to fall into to leave one Scottish club and go to the next but you forget where it could lead if you go to a top league in the likes of Finland. You never know, so I'd always recommend it if circumstances allow."