Jon Daly admits he spent so long at Dundee United that the club eventually worked its way into his DNA which is why it hurts so much to see them struggling at the moment.
The 33-year-old enjoyed six happy years at Tannadice with the high point coming after he lifted silverware when the Tangerines won the Scottish Cup in 2010.
Ultimately though, the time came to leave for pastures new with Daly making a move to Ally McCoist’s Rangers.
The Irishman had joined United in 2007 from Hartlepool and while he admits it was a big wrench finally leaving the club, he felt the opportunity to play for the Ibrox side was one he had to take for several reasons.
Daly, who has just hung up his boots to take on a coaching role at Hearts, firstly spoke about how his move to the City of Discovery came about, saying: “I just remember getting a call from my agent asking if I would be interested in coming up to Dundee United.
“I was coming to the last six months of my contract at Hartlepool.
“I was living just outside Hartlepool in Durham with my wife Linda. We don’t have family in the UK so we don’t have ties to any set area. Everyone is back in Ireland for both of us.
“So there were no issues about where we needed to travel to and we were happy to come to Scotland.
“So it was nice to move up and we have made a home in Inchture for ourselves just outside Dundee.
“I also spoke to Gavin Strachan (former Hartlepool player and son of Scotland boss Gordon) as I didn’t know an awful lot about the Scottish leagues and he filled me in and said they were a good club.
“He said if the opportunity came about, I should take it.
“I am glad I listened to him as they were some of the best days of my playing career.
“Once I got the all-clear to speak to them, I met with Craig Levein and I was impressed with the way he spoke about the club and what he wanted to do with the place.
“I would still say to this day that he is one of the best managers I have worked for.
“His knowledge of the game is excellent and I really enjoyed my time there under him and then Housty (Peter Houston) as well when Craig took the Scotland post.”
Daly added: “It was tough when I finally left as when you have been at a club for so long, it is not just playing for a club, it becomes part of your DNA.
“Even now, I look out for their results and it still hurts when I see them getting beat.
“So yes, it was a wrench leaving but I have said before that the contract on offer at United was just one year and I felt and I have proved that I could play for another few years.
“I was kind of getting the impression that they felt I wouldn’t because of my previous injuries but I believed I had proved I was fully fit.
“Then, I spoke to Ally McCoist and ended up going to Rangers.
“He is someone I have greatly admired during my time in Scotland and I jumped at the chance to go and play for him.
“I am delighted I did as I really enjoyed my time at Rangers but that’s water under the bridge now and we move on.”
Before he signed for the Glasgow side, Daly admitted he was just delighted to have been part of a United dressing-room that featured some seasoned pros and youngsters who would also go on to make their mark elsewhere such as David Goodwillie and Johnny Russell.
He added: “There were some big characters when I first went there. Lee Wilkie was one and a great lad.
“He is still someone I touch base with.
“Even the younger boys coming through at the time who were a similar age to myself like Davie Robertson was a good lad and character.
“There were also some fantastic older pros like Barry Robson who was a great example to the younger lads.
“It was a really good mix in the changing-room and I am still friendly with a lot of them.
“It was also good to see the likes of Goodie and Johnny coming through. Keith Watson was another one. There was a lot of talk about him when I first signed but he was unfortunate with injuries.
“But it was exciting to see the talent that United were producing and they seem to still be churning them out now.
“They are all different and you just have to accept them for what they are good players.
“It is hard to compare the likes of Johnny to Stuart (Armstrong) and even Goodie to a certain extent as they are different types.
“They are very good at what they do and I am delighted to see the likes of Johnny going down to England and doing really well for Derby and Stuart doing well at Celtic.
“It is great to see lads coming through the ranks and move on to bigger and better things.”