Steven Anderson spent years trying to establish himself as a first choice centre back at St Johnstone.
And it was a battle he won.
The former Dundee United man used to be the Perth club’s Mr Versatile often filling in a left-back, right-back or even midfield until he became a central defensive regular this season.
A knee injury has put him back down the pecking order in his favourite position, but he’s just happy to be back in the side.
Anderson will be at full-back as Dave Mackay’s stand-in for the third game running when Celtic are the visitors to McDiarmid Park. The fight for one of the two centre-back slots can wait for another day.
Anderson said: “I got the late call to face Hibs last week after Dave Mackay got injured.
“It was a surprise to get that shout but with Gary Miller also out the next option was me. I had to fill-in as usual. It seems to happen all the time with me.
“And when Cuptie is fit he will go straight back into the team. He’s the captain and he’s quality.
“Being adaptable can be a minus as well as a positive. I’ve found that all the way through my career. It can work for you and it can go against you.
“I don’t mind playing at right back but it does get a bit frustrating moving about the defence plugging gaps. The gaffer took me aside and said if I do well I will play but I had been getting a good run at centre-back before the wee op.”
Anderson has happy memories of the last time Celtic visited Perth. He was part of the Saints team which came back from a goal behind to defeat the champions.
“That got our season going,” he said.
“There was a penalty claim when we were 1-0 down but the referee didn’t give it. He gave me the benefit of any doubt.
“It could have been a red if he had decided different I suppose and who knows what would have happened. But that is all in the past. The fact is we went on to win that game 2-1 and it set us off on a five game winning run.”
He added: “It doesn’t get any tougher than Celtic. They are walking away with the title. They will win it easily, by a handsome margin.
“But you never know what can happen in 90 minutes. We beat them before in Perth when they weren’t quite at it and we got a draw at Parkhead.
“They beat United 6-2 but that was Celtic getting the frustration from Europe out of their system. Hopefully, they will have the next Juventus game in their minds but we have to be at our best.”
The battle for a top six place and Europa League qualification is intense this season, and the balance of power fluctuates with every set of fixtures played.
Saints went up the ladder against Hibs, but down the snake in Dingwall on Saturday.
Anderson said: “There are European spots up for grabs but anyone can beat anyone in this league. It’s all down to going on a half-decent run.
“We should have got something from the Ross County game, even if the pitch was a shambles. There area few like that around the country.
“We were dominant in the game but we didn’t create as many chances as usual. Hopefully, we can do something against Celtic to get back on track.”