Alex Harris admits he is hoping his loan move from Hibs to Dundee will prove mutually beneficial for him and the Dark Blues.
The 20-year-old winger, who was once compared to Arsenal and England star Theo Walcott by former Hibees boss Terry Butcher, joined Dundee last week and played the full 90 minutes against Ross County on Sunday.
Harris is looking to kick-start his career once again after breaking his ankle last season and then finding first-team opportunities limited at Easter Road under new manager Alan Stubbs.
He said: “The way I broke through at Hibs was great. I was playing every week and I felt I was playing quite well.
“But then I got the injury last season and it has stalled me a bit.
“I wasn’t as match fit when I went back into the team.
“I am working hard on the training pitch and if I can bring something different to Dundee and help them progress, then that will be beneficial to me and the club.”
When asked what it felt like to be compared to Walcott, Harris said: “To be fair, I didn’t really think about it too much.
“Being an Arsenal fan it is always good to hear but I don’t really think it made a difference to me.
“It is great to be recognised with someone of that quality but I didn’t really feel that it affected me.
“I wasn’t feeling any pressure because of the comparison.”
Harris joined Dundee with the Dark Blues’ Martin Boyle heading in the opposite direction on loan to Hibs and he explained how the move came about.
Harris said: “Alan Stubbs spoke to me last Tuesday and told me about the interest from Dundee.
“He asked my opinion and I was just looking to play more football. At Hibs I was sitting on the bench and not really playing.
“So I was just eager to get more game time. He was great with me and he was happy for me to come to Dundee.
“(Dundee boss) Paul Hartley phoned me and told me to come in and train with the team on Friday.
“He told me about the plans he had for me and why he was interested in signing me.
“He sounded really positive and I was happy to hear that from him.
“I am delighted to be going up a division as well. I had played in it before and it was good to hear that a team like Dundee were keen on me especially when I wasn’t playing.
“I can’t really complain though as Hibs are playing well and winning.
“It was tough as a wide man as they are not really playing them in that system.
“But Alan has told me he still has big plans for me when I come back in the summer.”
Harris was asked what he looked to achieve at Dens and he replied: “Game time is the big thing and hopefully to get a wee run in the team.
“I would like to progress from there.
“Dundee haven’t had the best results over the last few weeks but the boys have been great since I came in.
“That was my first 90 minutes in a while and I was tired at the end but it was great to be involved from the start.
“It was just disappointing that we didn’t capitalise on them going down to 10 men but from a personal point of view I am pleased to get that 90 minutes under my belt.
“I am not guaranteed a spot but I feel if I am needed here then I will try to show the fans that I can provide something different.”
“You can see that the fans are a bit down with recent results but hopefully I can bring a bit of freshness to the team.
“If I can help them get that first win again, it would be great.
“We probably should have won against Ross County but we will train hard this week and build for the next game.”