It’s been an in and out start to the season for Barry Douglas, but now the Dundee United wide man is intent on nailing down a regular starting place.
After making the first XI against Hearts a few weeks ago, the former Queens Park man found himself out of the Tangerines’ side until last weekend’s clash with Dunfermline.
Douglas is still in the early stages of his career but he feels he is ready to become a more permanent part of manager Peter Houston’s plans.
He said: “I had come on as a substitute a few times before the Dunfermline game and I didn’t come on at Parkhead the previous week.
“I agree to a certain degree with the manager that the younger players will need to be left out at stages this season because form can dip.
“But at the end of the day I’d obviously much rather be playing every week. I think any player would say the same.
“It’s true that you only really get better with games. It’s the same no matter who you are young or old. Now I’m in the team I want to stay there.
“It’s my second season in the SPL and, having the first one under my belt, I’m just looking to kick on.
“People get to know you so they then start to play on your weaknesses. It’s down to yourself how you handle it but I’m determined to take it in my stride.”
The result against the Pars, a 1-0 defeat, was hard to take but Douglas was not downbeat about his own showing.
He said: “I thought I did well against Dunfermline. The gaffer actually spoke to me on Friday before he named the team and made it clear I’d just been unlucky with the formations we’ve been playing which saw me sit out.
“So I had a point to prove last weekend. I wanted to go and show him that I can play.
“At least he told me why I hadn’t been playing. You can always accept a reasonable explanation.”
A Tayside derby against St Johnstone is next up for a United team looking to kick-start their season.
Douglas said: “It’s a derby game and we’ll be looking to bounce back.
“Even though we’ve lost a few players in the summer the spirit in the camp is still high.”