Hayden Muller is ready to grasp his chance and become a regular starter for St Johnstone this season.
Jason Kerr has signed for Wigan Athletic while fellow defender Liam Gordon has been out with a knee problem.
Muller, on loan from Millwall, was in from the first whistle in the 0-0 draw with St Mirren before the international break.
And he is hopeful of keeping his place moving forward.
“It’s a long season and now is a time for me to take my chance and show the gaffer why I need to stay in the team,” Muller said.
“Hopefully I can build on performances and help get the three points next time round.
“I want to learn men’s football. It is a lot different to under-23 football. It’s all about the three points and not as much about developing players. You go out to win three points and that is it.
“So far it has been tough but I think I’ve learnt a lot in the three games I’ve played.”
Muller, particularly in the second half, looked assured against St Mirren and showed he is comfortable driving forward with the ball.
“We speak about stepping in with the ball a lot and creating overloads in midfield,” he explained to the PA.
“I thought I managed to do that well in the second half against St Mirren. I used to be a midfielder when I was 14 or 15, so it’s a trait I’ve naturally got.
“That is a bonus and it always helps the team out when you can create an overload in midfield. It’s something I’ll keep on doing. I would back myself to play centre-back, right-back or centre midfield. I’m confident.”
Nailing down a regular start would see Muller’s family making regular trips north – his dad and uncle were at St Mirren.
“They made the eight hour drive from south London,” Muller smiled. "It was the second game they had been at after coming to watch the Motherwell one too.
“My dad said he wants to come up at least once a month, mum as well. I’m hoping they can watch as many as possible.”
Saints are back in training and preparing for Saturday’s home game against Rangers following a few well-deserved days off last week. European football and the start of the Premiership season has made for a busy schedule.
Muller, who loved the experience of travelling to games in Europe with the club, reckons the short rest was vitally important.
“Hopefully we can get to Europe again by doing well in the cups and finishing as high up the league as possible,” he said.
“We had not been used to playing two times a week – Thursday and Sunday. It was hard on the boys and a
challenge. We really need to recover well and then go again.”
