Dylan McGeouch hopes to show what he is really about at Aberdeen when the Scottish Premiership returns.
A January signing from English League One side Sunderland, McGeouch had little to get into his stride before football was stopped in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking on the What The Falk podcast, McGeouch discussed his career, including his days starting out at Celtic, success with Hibernian, why his spell with the Black Cats did not work out and his return to Scotland with Aberdeen.
The midfielder had managed nine appearances for the Dons after manager Derek McInnes’ long pursuit of him had finally borne fruit.
With the new season slated to start on August 1, McGeouch is keen to hit the ground running and show what he is capable of in an Aberdeen shirt.
He said: “I was disappointed the league finished early, as I felt we had an opportunity to finish third. But the club has been up there for a number of years and that’s our main priority. European football for this club would be excellent.
“I didn’t have a lot of time playing-wise before lockdown so hopefully when it starts I can really kick on and that will be the start of my Aberdeen career.
“I’ve showed wee glimpses here and there – my best game was probably the last game against Hibs – and hopefully I can get back to that when we open back up. Hopefully I can get bring or trophy or two to this club, which we should be aiming for.”
He feels the biggest thing he has got back since moving north is his belief, after a frustrating time under managers Jack Ross and Phil Parkinson at Sunderland.
McGeouch added: “It’s belief again. At Sunderland near the end, I wasn’t really involved much. You lose the competitiveness, just training Monday to Friday and not really playing. I found that was key for me and a new challenge as well. I was keen to get back playing and enjoying football again.”
Playing regularly in the Scottish Premiership again would almost, he hope, put him back in the frame for Scotland contention.
He has made two appearances for the national side, making his debut in the defeat to Peru in May 2018.
McGeouch said: “I knew when I was at Hibs I played well enough to get in the squad. If you go to Aberdeen and do well, you know if you produce you’ll be in contention. Hopefully in the future, if I can get myself playing regularly and playing well, I can put myself in the window where I can be considered.”