Making a change has already worked wonders for Mehdi Abeid’s inter-national career and now he hopes it can do the same at club level.
Born in Paris, the 20-year-old St Johnstone loan player was capped by France through the various youth levels until dramatically switching allegiance to Algeria the homeland of his parents in 2011.
It was a similar quandary to the one that once faced superstar Zinedine Zidane, who was born in Marseille of Algerian descent and went on to lead France to World Cup glory.
Abeid may have taken a different route to that chosen by his hero Zidane but it has worked out well for him.
The highlight was his involvement in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Morocco and although the Algerians didn’t make it to London he still feels he made the right move.
“I am from Paris and my parents are Algerian,” said Abeid, who has moved from Newcastle until the end of the season and was a standout performer for Saints in Monday’s 3-1 hammering of Hibs.
“I played at under 16, 17, 18 and 19 for France and then I decided to play for Algeria at under-23 level.
“I was involved in the Olympic qualifying tournament and it was a really good experience.”
Now Abeid is hoping that the switch from Tyneside to Tayside will boost his chances of becoming a first-team regular with the Magpies. He has made it into the Newcastle side for games in the Carling Cup, FA Cup and Europa League.
However, he wants his time in Scotland to lead to Premiership action in future.
“I did my best against Hibs and hopefully I did well,” said the modest Abeid, who helped run the Edinburgh side ragged at Easter Road.
“I like to pass the ball and that’s what we did the other night. We played very well against Hibs. It has been easy to move here.
“All the team and the staff are helping me to enjoy my time at the club. I am really happy with that.
“I have been at Newcastle for two years and I am at St Johnstone on loan until the end of the season. It is good to play with a club like Newcastle but it has not been easy for me because there are a lot of players there.
“That is why I wanted to go on loan, so I could play and enjoy my football. I think the football in Scotland is good football for a young player like me.
“It is a good experience and that’s why I have made this choice.”