Joe Shaughnessy started out in football as a centre-back.
So playing him in the middle of defence for St Johnstone isn’t taking the Irishman out of his comfort zone.
In fact, the former Aberdeen man was only turned into a full-back by accident rather than design.
“It all started at Pittodrie under Craig Brown and Archie Knox,” Shaughnessy revealed.
“We had an injury crisis at full-back.
“I came in and played left-back, did well, and got moved across to right-back. And that’s pretty much where I’ve been ever since.
“So it kind of happened by accident.
“I think of myself as a defender, not a specific position. I’ve always been like that. I feel quite comfortable across the back four.
“Playing right-back over the last couple of seasons has helped me learn the game a bit more.”
He added: “I enjoyed it on Saturday.
“I hadn’t played there for a while but I always played there all the way through youth football. So I felt quite comfortable moving back in there.
“When I was at Falkirk I was at full-back, but years ago when I was at Forfar I was used at centre-back.
“That was the last time I played there consistently – four or five years ago.”
Having the presence of captain Dave Mackay next to him helped Shaughnessy make the transition from the flank.
“Cuptie’s really good to play alongside,” he pointed out. “He talks you through the game. He’s got so much experience.
“You wouldn’t be able to tell that he’s only come back into that position for a few weeks himself.
“Everybody knows that there’s real competition for places in this squad, and that’s definitely the case in defence. You have to be adaptable.
“Ando (Steven Anderson) and Brad (Mackay) weren’t even in the squad at the weekend. It shows that you have to play well to keep your place.
“That can only be good for the team.”
Saturday’s win over Hamilton Accies was built on a sound defensive performance, but the cherry on the cake for the back five would have been a clean sheet.
He admitted: “We would like one, and we got close to it on Saturday.
“As long as we’re winning, we’re all happy. But as a defender, a clean sheet is what you’re looking for next.
“Getting into a settled back four will help us.
“It goes without saying that if you get a clean sheet you don’t lose the game.”
Saints are now within a victory of getting into the top six, which is the part of the league the club has been accustomed to occupying over recent years.
“We’ve worked hard over the first few weeks of the season and you can feel it coming to something now,” Shaughnessy said.
“Hopefully we’ll kick on after the weekend and keep winning.
“The table is starting to look better. We should be top six and that’s what we’re working towards.”