Kieran Offord admits he has surpassed his own expectations after moving into the Irish League.
The 20-year-old St Mirren striker has hit the ground running since securing a loan move to Crusaders during the summer.
The Scot - who hails from Airdrie - has bagged eight Premiership goals this term after scoring on his league debut against Glentoran back in August.
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Offord admits he didn't expect to settle so quickly in Belfast, but says the transition has been relatively painless after swapping the Buddies for the Hatchetmen.
He said: "I probably started off better than I thought I would. But looking back I did expect to score goals. That's why I came here.
"I probably scored more than I thought I would, however, but I am happy with that. My expectations were reasonably high on myself and thankfully I managed to rise to the challenge.
"I feel more comfortable in the league now. This was my first loan where I feel part of the team. I live here and see the lads all the time. So the environment is brilliant, and that's probably why I am doing well.
"I am learning so much. My mum and dad back home probably did everything for me in the house, so having to look after mself means I have had to grow up and mature."
St Mirren have been keeping track of Offord's progress this season, with the club's loan manager offering weekly check-ins and analysis updates.
Offord has also been keeping in close contact with Buddies teammate Fraser Taylor, who spent last season on loan at Ballymena United.
"St Mirren have a loan manager who talks to me after games. He will go through my clips and we analyse all that. He tells me what I've done well and how I can improve," said Offord, who had loan spells last season with Edinburgh City and Stirling Albion.
"It is good to have that critical eye on me. This is probably the most confident I have been, coming off the back of what was a poor season for me last year. Both of those other loans didn't work out.
"This was make or break for me, almost. My confidence was at a real low, and now it's probably at the highest it's been.
"Declan (Caddell) has played a massive role in that. In pre-season I wasn't exactly doing great but the gaffer out faith in me and he instilled confidence in me by telling me I am a good player and I would score goals.
"I got the most minutes I have had in my career which is great."
He added: "I spoke to Fraser quite a bit. He is probably my closest football pal back home. Even when he was on loan last year I was asking him how much he was enjoying it.
"It was difficult for him as Ballymena were struggling a bit. He told me it was a tough league and physical, but he said he thought I would do well here. I still chat to him quite a bit."
Crusaders host Glentoran in the live Friday night game. The last time the sides met in the league saw Offord score the winner in a 1-0 victory at the Oval on the opening game of the season.
"Glentoran are a good side. From the first game of the season it was always going to be a bit frantic. Both clubs have kicked on since then, so hopefully Friday night can be a good game," he said.
"It is a close league. There isn't much between a lot of teams.
"We have a couple of games in hand and if we win them we can be right up there. But we can only concentrate on Friday night and see where that takes us."
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