Ryan Gauld's career hasn't panned out how many expected.
Once dubbed 'The Scottish Messi' when coming through the ranks at Dundee United, Gauld is now happily settled in Canada and into his fourth campaign with Vancouver Whitecaps.
But at 28, he has still yet to earn a senior international cap. The playmaker has continually been overlooked by Scotland boss Steve Clarke despite earning widespread plaudits for his club form.
Gauld recently penned a fresh deal keeping him in North America until 2027 and he reckons he's best placed where he is rather than returning to Scottish football - a move the midfielder, who had a short loan spell at Hibernian in 2019, claims wouldn't suit his game.
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"I think what that little Hibs experience told me was that Scottish football doesn't really suit me," he confessed to BBC Scotland. "I struggled to get involved, struggled to make an impact there.
"You never know what's going to happen in the future, and what your options might be. I don't think Scottish football would get the best out of me and I don't think I would add too much to it either.
"So that's not something that I foresee but you can never say never and we'll see where we are at in four years' time."
He has even been handed the captaincy at Vancouver and is flourishing after registering 12 goals and 17 assists in 42 games last season.
Asked about the added responsibility, he said: "It feels really good, coming off my best season statistically to be rewarded with the new contract and the captaincy as well.
"I've never been a big speaker off the pitch but I like to think that, on the pitch, I try to lead by example, trying to lift everyone around me.
"Obviously, I'm aware that now being named captain there does come extra responsibility off the pitch. So that's something I'll have to take in my stride and get used to."
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