IT wasn’t so long ago that Blair Spittal was being linked with a seven-figure transfer south of the border, so he could be forgiven for being a little bitter about the way things worked out for him at Dundee United.
The million-pound move to Hull City that was speculated about in the media never did come to fruition, and in a matter of months, he was plying his trade in the Scottish Championship rather than its more affluent English equivalent as the Tannadice club slunk out of the Premiership.
A little over a year later, and he was a free agent, with the Tannadice club failing to offer the player a contract until well after the deadline for compensation to be due, and crucially, until he had made up his mind to leave.
That blunder is being exacerbated by the week, with the attacker immediately finding his feet at Partick Thistle as well as the way to goal, hitting the net six times in just nine appearances for the Jags so far.
At 21, he feels as though he is coming of age, and is ready to add a consistency to his game that has been lacking thus far. And what’s more, he feels he is in the perfect place to do just that.
“I’m delighted with the start I’ve made,” said Spittal.
“When I joined, the manager said he saw goals in my game, and thankfully they are going in just now.
“I think consistency is now the thing I need to add to my game, and I think there are signs that I’m doing that. Even when I am not scoring goals, I feel as if I am playing well, so hopefully I can keep up the good form.
“I see myself as a forward-thinking player. Throughout my career I’ve moved about a lot between positions, and I don’t mind that, but I think when it comes down to it, I’m at an age now where I need to be playing in a position and making it my own.
“It is all well and good being versatile, but there comes a time when you need a consistent run of games in one position. I seem to be getting the chance to do that at Thistle, and I’m really enjoying it.”
The freedom he is currently feeling to express himself on the field is coming from two main sources, his manager Alan Archibald, and the special atmosphere around the club that he has revelled in since his arrival.
And he admits that being happier off the field is helping him to produce his best form on it.
“Everything comes down to how much I’m enjoying it,” he said. “I’m just enjoying being here.
“I’m closer to my family because I come from around the area, so I’ve got all my family and friends around about me and I’m really just loving life at the moment.
“The poor start in terms of results hasn’t affected the boys at all, the place is still great to be around every day.
“If performances hadn’t been good then it might be a bit different, but I think there are a lot of encouraging signs, especially in the last three performances.
“The manager believes in me too, and is giving me that run in my preferred position, so that can only help.”
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