Former Inverness Caledonian Thistle star says he has point to prove at Ross County
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Ross County midfielder Scott Allardice says he has a point to prove to himself after making his first Scottish Premiership start.
The 25-year-old midfielder signed for the Staggies in the summer, making the step up to the top flight after spending three years in the Championship.
His early days in Dingwall have been plagued by injuries, though, and Saturday's 3-3 draw with Motherwell was the first time he was started in the Premiership.
Now ready to kick on, Allardice is out to show he belongs in Scotland's top tier by putting in the kind of performances that made him a star man at former club Caley Thistle.
"It has been a slow start from myself, coming into a totally new environment," Allardice admitted.
"I have a point to prove to myself. I think I'm good enough to play at this level, and I'm just keen to do well.
"The boys have been good, and I feel up to the level, so I know I can excel. It's up to me now to kick on, and Saturday was the start.
"Every time you get injured, it's frustrating, but there's nothing worse than coming to a new club and getting injured.
"I just knew I had to get my head down and when I got the opportunity, I had to take it.
"I'm 25 now, I've always wanted to play in the Premiership but it's probably taken a bit longer than anyone expected.
"Everyone has different career paths, and I just want to kick on now and really do well at this level."
Allardice's next test comes tonight away at Hibernian – who the midfielder expects a stern test from despite an underwhelming start.
"It's a big game because we see how tight the table is," Allardice reasoned.
"We know that as a team we are probably better than we've shown at times. It's all in the balance at the minute, nothing is decided this early, but it does give you a good indication of where you can go.
"There's no bigger incentive than when it's this tight, and you can get in and around where you want to push on to this season.
"On Tuesday we'll hopefully get a good result and kick on.
"Hibs might have had a slow start, but you're not defined by the first 10 games, you're defined by the end of the season.
"They will kick on at some point, so we have to be ready for the best version of what they can put up."
