BY DARREN JOHNSTONE @CCP_Sport
Scotland midfielder Liam Bridcutt insists he is back to his ‘normal self’ after extending his loan deal with Leeds United until the end of the season.
The 26-year-old is delighted to have prolonged his stay at Elland Road from Sunderland after initially joining in November.
Bridcutt’s club and international career stalled during his time at the Stadium of Light, with the playmaker having only made 19 league starts for the Black Cats in two years.
But Bridcutt, whose only Scotland appearance came in the March 2013 loss to Serbia, reckons he is back to his best under Leeds manager Steve Evans.
He said: “It’s been perfect for me so far.
“The manager has been brilliant with me, he’s given me a great opportunity to come here and play.
“The lads have also been brilliant in welcoming me in. I just wanted to come in and play football and show what I can do.
“I’m happy and you can see in the way that I’m playing that I’m back to my normal self.
“The manager has shown me some great respect and he’s given me some great opportunities to come in and do what I love doing.”
Glaswegian Evans said: “I’m really pleased to have my number one target on board at this early stage of the window.
“I like players who prove a point and Liam has done exactly that since he first arrived.
“He’s made a big impression here and has become a fans’ favourite in a short space of time.
“Liam has consistently produced performances of an extremely high standard for us, which is all the more impressive when you consider he hadn’t played any league football this season prior to joining.
“He’s fitted into the group seamlessly and getting him signed up again comes as very positive news for us to start the new year with.
“We’ve got him until the end of the season, but if he continues the way he has been playing, then it puts us in a good position to speak to Sunderland about keeping him in the summer.”
