ath of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentines Day 2013. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, Pool) Oscar Pistorius is comforted by his brother Carl, back, as he listens to evidence by a pathologist in court in Pretoria, South Africa, Monday, April 7, 2014. Pistorius is charged with murder for the shooting death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentines Day 2013. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, Pool) Oscar Pistorius weeps as he listens to evidence by a pathologist in court in Pretoria, South Africa, Monday,UK Nike Air Max 2012 Women Black, April 7, 2014. Pistorius is charged with murder for the shooting death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentines Day 2013. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, Pool) June Steenkamp, mother of the late Reeva Steenkamp listens to evidence by a pathologist during the murder trial of Oscar Pistorius in court in Pretoria, South Africa, Monday, April 7, 2014. Pistorius is charged with murder for the shooting death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentines Day 2013. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, Pool) June Steenkamp, right, mother of the late Reeva Steenkamp listens to evidence by a pathologist during the murder trial of Osacr Pistorius in court in Pretoria, South Africa, Monday, April 7, 2014. Pistorius is charged with murder for the shooting death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentines Day 2013. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, Pool) Sister Aimee Pistorius, center, and aunt Lois Pistorius, right, listen to Oscar Pistorius giving evidence in his murder trial in court in Pretoria, South Africa,UK Nike Air Max 2014 Mens Shoes White Black, Monday, April 7, 2014. Pistorius is charged with murder for the shooting death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentines Day 2013. (AP Photo/Deaan Vivier, Pool) 2599014
12 shares 8 View comments Jermain Defoe has credited his mother's strict parenting with setting him on the road to a successful football career.The striker has hit the ground running after joining Major League Soccer side Toronto in March, scoring three goals in three games to help his new side to second in the Eastern Conference.Speaking to George Stroumboulopoulos in an interview on Canadian TV channel CBC,Nike Air Max 2014 Royal Blue White, Defoe admitted that without his mother's influence he may not have become the player he is today.VIDEO: Scroll down to watch Jermain Defoe speak about his mum's influence on his career Honest: Jermain Defoe opens up to George Stroumboulopoulos in an interview on Canadian TV channel CBC Credit: Defoe says his mother helped him become the player he is by teaching him discipline Still got it: Jermain Defoe lashes in his third goal for Toronto in their 1-0 win against DC United Proud: Defoe's mum Sandra watches her son's interview with Canadian TV channel CBC More... EXCLUSIVE: I'm scoring for fun in Toronto already, says Defoe (and it doesn't matter whether it's a football or a basketball!) Defoe will be a bigger superstar in MLS than he ever was in Premier League, says former Toronto FC boss Carver Defoe scores twice on Toronto debut... so, will Hodgson take him to the World Cup? Defoe insists he can make England's World Cup squad as Toronto adventure begins Defoe said: 'I was lucky enough to have great parents. My mum was really strict on me so I was in bed by nine o'clock.'She used to say things like You need to go to bed early, you've got training tomorrow, you can't eat this, you've got eat this'No matter what happens, even if I go to bed at midnight I'll give it 100 per cent in training. But that discipline from day one was so important because now I'm so disciplined and my mum's probably the reason why.'When I was young I used to eat the right things. I used to go to bed early, so from a young age I had a lot of energy for training. I could always train well. I could always play well. 'Every day she would drum into me the importance of doing the right things.' Opening up: Defoe admits he was tempted to follow the same path as some of his childhood friends Familiar sight: Defoe (left) celebrates finding the back of the net against DC United Big news: Defoe is Toronto's most recognisable player after joining from Tottenham in March Defoe admits that he was tempted to follow the same path as some of his friends as a kid but that staying focused ensured his talent didn't go to waste.He added: 'There was times when I was in my room and I looked out the window and all my friends were sort of sitting on a bench with all their friends, probably smoking and drinking and talking to girls and you want to be a part of it.'Maybe I didn't want to smoke and drink, but I didn't mind just being there on a bench with my friends chilling out. But obviously as you get older you understand that maybe, if I would have done that, I wouldn't be here today.' More... EXCLUSIVE: I'm sc