Dundee’s Julen Etxabeguren candidly confesses that he needs to toughen up to be truly successful in the Scottish game.
The former Real Sociedad B player, moved to this country to further his university studies, combining his education with playing for East Fife.
His performances for the Methil side put him on the radar of Dark Blues boss Paul Hartley who signed the centre-half last summer.
Etxabeguren endured a roller-coaster first season at Dens that was disrupted by injury – now, he admits he has a point or two to prove, starting tonight against Hamilton at Dens.
The 25-year-old said: “I was part-time at East Fife and this level is completely different as there are better players and it’s more physical. There have been games when I’ve not been as strong as I should be.
“I know I have a point to prove this season. In football everyone wants to prove something and I want to step forward and help the club.
“‘I believe ‘aggressive’ is a good word to use and that’s what I need to be.
“I know I need to adapt better to the physical side of the game and I know I can be much better.
“I am trying to progress and I’m working on being much tougher.
“Sometimes it can be a mental thing and understanding that being physical is just as important as being able to pass the ball well.
“It’s also about matching the energy of teams and I believe I can do that.
“Crowds are different everywhere but I like it when I am cheered for making a tackle.”
Etxabeguren also admitted that Dundee need to toughen up as a team.
He added: “I think we need to prove that we can be a physical side. Last season we suffered with that sometimes. If you want to gain a positive result in this league then you need to match the physicality of your opponent.
“Then you need to be good on the ball, those are the two main things we must show against Hamilton.”
Dundee also need to produce a 90-minute performance against Accies after Rangers completely dominated the first half of last Saturday’s game.
And Etxabeguren admitted the Dark Blues probably showed Mark Warburton’s side too much respect.
He added: “It was a hard game with two completely different halves but we were not good enough in the first one but were much better in the second.
“Maybe in the good half we did enough to deserve a point.
“I’ve watched the game again, maybe we showed Rangers too much respect and sat in too deep against them, especially in the first half.
“We pressed much better in the second half and were much better.
“We need to match the energy of Hamilton, we need to run and show the same energy as they do.
“If we do that then we will create opportunities and get a positive result.
“Hamilton showed last season that they are a physical side but they can play with the ball too.
“It’ll be another tough game but we need to match their physicality and make sure we are better on the ball than we were against Rangers.”
