Dundee United’s prodigal son David Goodwillie is hoping to enjoy as much success on the park as another loan Scot who returned home.
Goodwillie has rejoined the Tangerines who also announced two more signings from Blackburn Rovers until January and he wouldn’t mind following in the footsteps of Leigh Griffiths, who also ventured over the border.
Griffiths left Wolves and life in England to head back to Hibs and ended up taking the SPL by storm, being named the league’s player of the season and grabbing 28 goals in the process.
Goodie is not giving himself any scoring target but he did notice how Griffiths prospered at Easter Road.
“I look at someone like Leigh Griffiths and how well coming back to Scotland on loan worked for him,” said Goodwillie, who was paraded at St Andrews by United after putting pen to paper on an initial six-month loan with an option to extend it.
“Hopefully, I can do the same. Watching how well he did last season made me think about my own situation. I saw how good it was for him and how he managed to get into the Scotland set-up.
“I have come back to United hoping things can work out like that for me.”
Goodwillie’s attempts to stay in the Rovers side following his big-money move from Tannadice in the summer of 2011 were hampered by the uncertainty surrounding the Ewood Park club.
He has worked under four managers in that time and he admitted: “It has been horrible because when you are not playing it’s difficult to stay focused and happy. You try your best but inside you’re not happy.
“I think I’m mentally stronger for the experience. It has made me a bit more professional. Despite not playing as much I don’t regret it, everyone wants the opportunity to play in England and I’m glad I got that chance.
“Did I leave too early? I don’t think so, it was a good move for me and I have no regrets. Hopefully I can put all the off-field stuff from the past behind me and talk about football this time.
“Blackburn are my parent club so I will go back to England eventually but right now I just want to focus on United and play games. It’s great Blackburn gave me this opportunity and I appreciate it.
“The manager Gary Bowyer told me he knows how good I am but I need to do it on the pitch again so go away and make that happen.”
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