Aziz Behich admits it took some time to adjust to playing in the Scottish Premiership following his move to Dundee United from Turkey in July 2022.
Since leaving the A-Leagues in 2014, Behich had spent the bulk of his career in the Super Lig aside from a season with Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven in 2018-19.
Motivated by a fresh challenge, Behich joined a growing contingent of Australians playing in Scotland when he signed for the Tangerines on a two-year deal.
While the Terrors have largely struggled this season, currently occupying the bottom of the ladder, Behich has been one of the bright spots.
The dynamic full-back, who has operated further forward on the left flank at times this campaign, has three goals and four assists in the league.
But despite excelling, the 32-year-old said adapting to the style of Scottish football was not entirely seamless.
"It's just my mentality, I always back myself and I'm confident in my abilities so I think that has helped me," Behich said, in a recent interview with DUTV.
"It's a tough league, anybody can beat anybody at any point, I've realised that as well.
"It's a different type of football to what I've experienced before. Turkey is a bit more counter-attacking football and it took me a bit of time to adapt to everything but I'm really enjoying it here.
"It's a tough league and that's what I was looking for. I was looking for a new challenge in my career.
"I could've stayed in Turkey but when this opportunity came at Dundee United I kind of didn't think twice and decided to come down."
It has been a difficult season with Behich playing under his third manager following the appointment of Jim Goodwin at the beginning of March.
However, the coach's arrival has coincided with an improvement in results after five successive league defeats sealed Liam Fox's fate.
Last weekend, the Terrors won just its second game of the year and first since early January, prevailing past Hibernian 2-1.
Behich played a crucial role, assisting the opening goal with a sumptuous cross.
"Since the gaffer (Jim Goodwin) has come in I think we're playing some good football," he said.
"A few positive results in difficult games and I think we could've snagged one or two wins in those.
"But we've been building on our performance every week. I think take away that Rangers game (2-0 loss), we created a lot of opportunities in the previous games, so we've just got to build on that."
Behich, who recently started both matches for the Subway Socceroos against Ecuador last month and assisted Garang Kuol's goal in the 3-1 win in Sydney, added that confidence remains strong amongst the squad.
"The gaffer has been great, like I said when he's come in with that energy and obviously in this situation that we're in, confidence can be down within the group but he's making sure and he's made sure we all know we're a good playing group," stated Behich, who has 59 caps for his country.
"It's about performing on the weekend."
Behich and Dundee United face eighth placed Motherwell on Sunday morning (12am AEST).