Joseph Hungbo scored his first professional goal in style last week, converting a 35-yard free-kick for loan side Ross County in the Scottish Premier League.
The on-loan Watford winger is thoroughly enjoying his experience in the Highlands, where he plays under former Watford boss Malky Mackay.
Having opened his account against Dundee Hungbo hopes he and his 12th-placed temporary team can now kick on after a frustrating start to the campaign.
“The gaffer told me I was on corners and free-kicks, and if you’re allocated a place you have to do your job,” said the 21-year-old.
“It was from a far distance and I was looking at it thinking, ‘why not?’. As soon as it left my boot I thought, ‘this might go in!’, and then it did, I’m absolutely ecstatic. It’s my first professional goal and you don’t write things like that!
“It was definitely something I needed, I didn’t feel like I was performing well and it definitely gave the team a boost, that took the game to 3-0.”
The 5-0 triumph was the Staggies’ first league victory of the season, despite playing good football and just falling short of getting three points on several occasions.
Hungbo feels at home at Ross County already thanks to the support of his teammates, the staff and Mackay, who have helped him settle at the club. It’s been a learning experience for the youngster.
“It gives the team a lot of confidence because this was what we needed,” Hungbo continued. “We’ve been playing great football and not really got the reward for what we’ve been doing, we’ve been caught by mistakes but it is what we’ve been waiting for.
“The boys have helped me a lot with settling in. I’m living by myself which isn’t easy but as time goes by you get used to living by yourself and that helps me out on the pitch when you’re growing up outside of football. I definitely feel like it’s helped me a lot being here, I’ve gained a lot of experience, I can focus on what I need to do and I can’t complain.
“[Mackay] has been a breath of fresh air, he’s helped me a lot. At the start I wasn’t really up to speed and wasn't really starting games but he said ‘keep it going, keep working hard in training’, and I’m reaping the benefits. I can’t let him down, I’ve got to keep it going, it’s exactly what I need right now.”
It’s not just Hungbo and Mackay with ties to Watford at Victoria Park, with another ex-Hornet helping Hungbo from the sidelines.
“I go over the clips with Don Cowie and analyse my performance when I can,” he told Ross County’s website.
“He is telling me to be in certain places and I’m just listening and taking in information. It wasn’t a back-post finish, but it was a good set-piece goal, so we just need to keep going.”
Hungbo has a mature outlook on his loan, as he explains that he feels a duty at his temporary side. He does keep an eye on his parent club’s matches and is in regular contact with teammates at Watford, but wants to do his job at Ross County first and foremost.
He enjoys new experiences every day in Scottish football and is embracing his time there, even if he isn’t always on the pitch.
“Everyday I’m learning, whether I’m starting, on the bench or not in the team,” he explained.
“Everytime you’re learning how the fans react to things, how you can get the crowd going, what you can do to make a difference. I feel like there are so many things that can help me.
“Seeing the boys do well against Everton put a smile on my face. I’ve been speaking to a couple of them, keeping in contact about how things have been but I’m focused on what I’m doing at Ross County, whatever happens at Watford takes care of itself.
“I need to understand that I’m here to do a job, and I’m here to improve so when I go back to Watford I’m a better player for it and I can stamp my authority when I’m there.
“Right now, Every game I’m learning new things, so hopefully by the end of the season I’m ready for that next step.”