Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton has admitted that even he has been surprised by his resurgence at the club.
The Scotland international had not played for the Villans in the past two seasons under Paul Lambert, but managed to impress his manager enough while on international duty to earn the starting berth at right back this season.
Hutton told reporters: "I felt I had a lot to give and I wanted to do it here. I wanted to prove everybody wrong. If someone told me last season what would happen this season, I would have laughed. To look back from where I was then to now is a total turnaround.
"I wasn't playing here yet I was going up to Scotland and Gordon [Strachan] was picking me in not just friendlies but qualifying games also.
"I owe a massive amount to him. There was no reason for him to pick me but he did. It kept me going. If I had down time here I used to look to the international games and focus. Your head has to be on it."
The 30-year-old has made 12 appearances this season for Villa in all competitions.
Simon Sinclair
