Ross County left back Jamie Reckord is determined to make the most of a second chance at Dingwall.
The 22-year-old, who had been tipped for success after representing England at youth levels, was left in the football wilderness after being released by Wolves in the summer.
It was not the first time Reckord’s career has been in jeopardy as three years ago he received an eight month suspended prison sentence for assaulting a close friend.
But Ross County took a chance on the defender by signing him on a short-term deal last month and he impressed in a solid debut in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Kilmarnock.
And Reckord is now looking forward to a starting a new chapter in his life at County.
He said: “I just needed someone to believe in me. Back at my old club, when the managers kept swapping and changing, I never had my foot in the door.
“I was travelling with the squad to games, but never playing and never felt involved. Managers were bringing their own players in and I just had to keep working for a loan move, but it didn’t go to plan.
“My contract ran out and I had to find something new because I didn’t want to just fall out of football.
“I’ve signed until January, but I’d like it to be longer because I want to play.”
And after helping the Staggies to a first away win of the season on Saturday, Reckord says his new club won’t regret taking a chance on him.
He added: “I need to get myself back playing and perform well and people can start talking about me the way they once did.
“Things have happened in the past, there was a silly mistake when I was younger but things have moved on from there. I’m here to play football.
“I am away from family up here, but, hopefully, I’ll get time with them and it is all worth it after the manager gave me a debut.
“Dingwall is very different. It’s quiet and it rains a lot, but it’s a new start and I want to look forward.”
Reckord could be set for a prolonged spell in the side as Darren Barr, who had been playing at left back, may not return this season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in last Monday’s 1-0 defeat by Aberdeen.
Manager Jim McIntyre said: “Darren could be out for six months to a year.
“He played on after he did it which says everything about Darren.
“We were surprised as anyone by the news that it was a cruciate ligament injury. It is very disappointing.”