Craig Curran has thanked former Ross County midfielder Stuart Taylor for reviving his career with the Staggies.
Former Nuneaton Town attacker Curran made an instant impact against Dundee on Sunday after being handed his debut by manager Jim McIntyre, scoring a second-half equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw for the Dingwall side.
Curran has spent most of his career in the English lower leagues, including spells with Tranmere Rovers, Carlisle United and Rochdale.
However, it is a spell with Irish side Limerick last season, then managed by former County player Taylor, that Curran credits with rekindling his love for football.
Curran said: “My last year at Carlisle I missed most of the season and then went to Rochdale, where I struggled to get going after playing 50 or 60 games the year before. You lose your flow a bit and I was still a young lad.
“I just needed to get going again. I went over to Ireland where Stuart Taylor was fantastic for me. I’ve got to thank him for a lot of things. He got me back enjoying it again. It can get a bit disheartening when things go from going so well to nothing. I owe him a lot.
“I came back over in the summer and things didn’t work out the way they should have. I got stuck without a club which was disappointing, because the things I did have I said no to. It was difficult but I’ve worked and been given an opportunity.
“I just want to play football. It’s as simple as that. I wanted to come back here – be it England or Scotland – and I wanted to get an opportunity. I’m happy about that.
“I’ve been in training getting my fitness levels up. I conditioned myself to know I was ready. I came here and the manager said he’d take a look at me, so it was all about getting myself right and earning a contract, which I was fortunate enough to do.”
Curran had been training with County after leaving Nuneaton Town, doing enough to convince McIntyre to offer the Englishman a contract until the end of the season ahead of Sunday’s trip to Dens Park.
After getting his Staggies career off to the perfect start, the 25-year-old is out to repay his new manager’s faith, and hopes to play his part in helping joint-bottom County achieve Premiership survival.
Curran added: “It’s always good to get that first goal as soon as you can. It’s good for confidence and helps you settle. I’m looking forward to the next game against Partick Thistle on Saturday.
“I played 78 minutes against Dundee and I felt really good. It’s a great start for me and I’m looking to continue that for the rest of the season. It was my first game for a good few months and the legs felt good.”