Caley Thistle midfielder Jack Brown feels ending his loan spell with Fort William to join Rothes can help him come out of his comfort zone.
Brown has made the switch to the Speysiders on a temporary deal until the end of the season, having made a strong impression during his spell at Claggan Park in the first half of the season.
The 18-year-old was among nine Inverness loanees who made the switch to Fort at the start of the season, however he feels he is ready for the step up to a Rothes side sitting third in the Highland League.
Brown, who could make his debut in tomorrow’s top of the table encounter against leaders Brora Rangers, said: “It will be really different for me. I have been with the Fort boys since I was seven or eight years old.
“I’m now going into a team where I’ve never played with any of the players.
“I’m really looking forward to it, as there are loads of good players there.
“It’s really exciting for me because it gives me a challenge. At Fort I was kind of guaranteed games. Now I’m coming out of my comfort and I need to work really hard to get into this Rothes team.
“I know they are playing really well and winning games. I need to make sure once I get in there I stay in there.
Brown reflects fondly on his stint with the Lochaber side, adding: “Personally I have taken so much from the Fort experience. I just felt like I needed a reality check.
“I don’t want to be disrespectful, but it helped to show me I don’t want to be there – I want to be at Caley Thistle.
“I have taken a lot out of playing in the Highland League against men every week.”