Yoann Arquin was so far out of the picture at Notts County that he was not even allowed to play for the English League 1 club’s reserves.
Now he is determined to regain his focus at Ross County.
Meadow Lane manager Shaun Derry was not keen on the French attacker, who last played for the Magpies in a one-goal defeat by Wolves on Saturday, November 16.
His Notts County experience was a frustrating and unfulfilling period for the centre forward which left him disenchanted with the game.
The Staggies have offered the Le Havre-born attacker a fresh start and, after spending a week training at Dingwall, he this week completed a one-year deal to move north.
Despite his recent lack of playing time, Arquin is fit and ready to make his debut when Dundee United visit Victoria Park this afternoon.
It has been a long time coming but the 25-year-old, who was likened to countryman and former French international Nicolas Anelka by Notts County supporters, is desperate to end his long stretch on the sidelines.
He said: “I was training with the reserves. I did not play with them, I was just training.
“It is very hard when you are not playing.
“There were a lot of strikers at Notts County and I don’t know why the manager there didn’t want to play me.
“It was not happy with the situation but it is finished now.
“I am at a new club and it will be like a new season for me – it is all behind me.”
Arquin is unlikely to be fazed by anything in Scottish football after scoring for Notts County against Liverpool at Anfield in a 4-2 extra-time second round League Cup defeat on Tuesday, August 27.
He added: “It was a good experience to score and provide an assist against Liverpool. They had a lot of big players in their team like Steven Gerrard, Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Kolo Toure.
“Even though we lost the game, Anfield was an amazing stadium with amazing fans.”
The Frenchman added: “I don’t think I need to prove anything here. Of course I want to play and score goals.
“I have been training here for a week and the players are of a good standard. I think we can stay in the Premiership.
“The objective for the season is for the club to stay up.”