Inverness Caley Thistle defender compares major difference of football in Australia and Scotland
NIKOLA Ujdur says there are cultural differences between playing football in Australia and Scotland, but thinks he has adapted well since arriving at Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
The defender has hit the ground running since arriving in Inverness, when he was signed on the final day of the transfer window last month.
The 24-year-old has impressed during his short time at the club, helping Inverness to remain unbeaten in their last three matches in the Championship.
He was particularly impressive in the 1-0 win against Airdrieonians on Saturday, making two vital tackles in the closing stages to deny the visitors grabbing a late equaliser.
Ujdur, who previously played for Rockdale Ilinden and Sydney Olympic in Australia, says there is one major difference between playing in Australia and Scotland.
But he says he is acclimatising well to all the challenges of playing in the Scottish Championship.
"It is a bit of cultural difference, in particularly the weather and the wind," he said.
"When you step out of the front door and the wind hits you, it will take a bit of getting used to.
"This is about as cold as it would get for us in Sydney, over there right now it is 30 degrees, so it one extreme to another, but I know this isn't extreme for you guys.
"But once you come from 30 degrees, this does feel chilly.
"In terms of everything else it has been enjoyable so far. The people have been very good, the boys, the team and locally walking around the city, everybody has been so friendly and they have made it easy for me."
Ujdur is also pleased with the opportunities he has been given in the first team since arriving at Inverness.
He was signed by former manager Billy Dodds, who was sacked last month after a run of nine matches without a win.
Duncan Ferguson came in as manager and Inverness have been undefeated in the Championship since his arrival, with seven points out of nine from three league games.
Ujdur recognises he arrived in Inverness during a period of transition at the club, but is pleased to have provided some stability in defence.
"You never expect to come in and start from the get go as that is rare. But with everything that has gone on at the club with the manager situation, there was a major change.
"That is part of the game, the longer you are in football the better you deal with those situations and I think I dealt with it well, as have all the boys.
"They backed me and I think I have proved myself and I will look to get more minutes under my belt."
Ujdur was one of the top performers for Inverness in their 1-0 win against Airdrieonians with a terrific performance at the back.
He says it was a huge moment to win their first league game at home this season and says they are only looking upwards to improve their league position.
"Airdrie are a good side and held on to the ball really well. In terms of creating chances, I thought they could have done more with it. But that is credit to our defending.
"It is a massive win and I hope that it keeps coming from here, we will look to go on a run and get some more clean sheets and more points on the board.
"We need to climb that ladder as far as we can. Everyone is chasing for that first place, we just have to do best we can, and take it week in and week out."