Everton full-back Jonjoe Kenny admits he was battling with issues off the park during his loan spell at Celtic.
The boyhood Parkhead fan was signed on loan from the Toffees as the dream bid for 10 In A Row collapsed.
Having been signed by Neil Lennon, Kenny was left in limbo at the club as his loan spell in the Premiership came to an end under interim boss John Kennedy.
He returned to Goodison Park in the summer, and wasn't given any serious game time under Rafa Benitez.
The signing of Nathan Patterson from Rangers appeared to end his chances of becoming a regular in the English Premier League.
But the arrival of Frank Lampard has allowed the 24-year-old a second chance, and he was handed his first start under the new boss during the win over Leeds.
Kenny told Everton TV: “I knew my chance was going to come, just not when it would come, and wanted to make sure I was ready.
“I made everything down to me, changed what I needed to and tried to get rid of excuses, which is difficult.
“I didn’t want to be giving the excuse that I wasn’t ready or didn’t take my opportunity.
“ Celtic was a difficult period for me, off the pitch, especially. But having close family and friends and my agent and good mentors around me, and choosing that path and having these people who can really help me progress, changed a lot of things for me mentally.
“I have had a lot of ups and downs but it is about staying at it and doing what I need and focusing on me.”
Lampard deployed Kenny in the left-back spot in the victory over Marcelo Bielsa's side, and he reckons this will kick-start his Everton resurgence.
He said: “They have been a breath of fresh air for us. He (Lampard) has given me a lot of confidence.
“I want to express myself, I know what I can do, so it is going out there and believing in myself and doing what I am good at.
“I’ve played left-back before and once you find your feet and rhythm it becomes natural.
“I just want to be on the pitch, playing football, and I loved it.”
