Set-piece specialist Enes Alic has settled into life at St Johnstone and the city of Perth quickly.
Enes joined the Saints earlier in the summer after most recently playing his football in his homeland with Zeljeznicar Sarajevo.
The left-sided full-back made a strong start at McDiarmid Park before hitting the headlines for his impressive last-gasp leveller against Falkirk last month.
His 96th minute free-kick – the last action of the game – flew high into the top corner to salvage the Saints an important point in a 1-1 draw.
Enes smiled: “I’m feeling good and, of course, I was so happy to score with my first free-kick. I hope that there are more to come.
“It was such a special moment, and it was even more important because it was the last kick of the game.
“The fans had maybe heard that I had some shooting ability, but I still needed to show them. There was some pressure – but I like the pressure. When the ball went in, I just ran. I think I was the happiest man in the world at that moment.
“I practice a lot. But, also, I have always been able to strike a ball nicely with my left foot. Maybe there is something natural about that.
“You need to concentrate in these moments but also know that you are not going to score every single time. You just need to do everything you can to be as ready as possible.”
Enes has netted plenty of free-kicks during a career that has taken him to a number of different clubs and experiences across the continent.
Enes recalled: “I started football at a young age, I was probably about six when I joined my first small club. This was about 45 minutes outside of Sarajevo, where I was born. After two or three years, I moved to a bigger club and eventually worked my way up.
“I ended up going to the Czech Republic when I was about 17 years of age. I was so young and in some ways it was difficult for me, because everything was new – the country, the language.
“But the experience was still a very good one for me and helped to make me stronger. I stayed there until I was 19 and then went to play in Sweden.”
Enes’ journey in football later continued back in his homeland with Mladost Doboj Kakanj and then NK Domžale in Slovenia.
“During my time in Slovenia I played in the Conference League and we ended up facing Rosenborg,” Enes said. “I really remember that and I actually scored in the away game against them.
“It was my first European game against a big club. And it was one of my best goals, dribbling into the box and scoring. I feel I had a good season that year and I had a few clubs watching me.
“My next stop was Hungary and then Croatia before moving back to the biggest club in Bosnia, Željezničar Sarajevo.”
Enes continued: “The experience from other clubs has helped me. A lot of hard work and learning. I think I have adapted to the Scottish game quite quickly.
“I feel good every time I go out on the pitch. I knew how good that standard of this league was before I arrived – and the fast style of play.
“Actually, on the pitch, I think I am a different person. Even aggressive sometimes. But off the pitch I am very chilled out, sometimes funny… I think.
“I like to always be very professional when I’m not playing football. I take good care of my body, eat healthy food and get the right amount of sleep. That is all important and can help you to get better and better.”
Enes is becoming used to Perth life, enjoying local restaurants and becoming a familiar face around town.
He laughed: “People have started to recognise me when I go for my shopping and want a photograph. That is a nice feeling for me. Perth is a lovely city.
“And the weather? A lot of people say it can be better. But I think this weather is the best for football. It’s not too hot.
“Everything is going well so far in Perth, in Scotland and of course at the club. I am very happy here.”
