How Barry Douglas helps Wolves' foreign legion feel at home
Barry Douglas says he’s been passing on his overseas experiences to help Wolves’ foreign legion settle in England.
The left wing-back joined Wolves for £1million from Turkish side Konyaspor in the summer after previously spending two-and-a-half years in Poland with Lech Poznan.
And the 28-year-old Scot has been passing on advice to his team-mates about living abroad.
Douglas said: “Going abroad opens your mind. I’m more confident as a person than I was before I left Scotland.
“It doesn’t faze me now in a different country, getting to places or having to do things on my own.
“There’s so much of the world to see.
“And it has made me more grateful for the chance – a lot of players won’t get the opportunity to do the things I’ve done.
“We have a multi-national squad at Wolves so my experience abroad has helped me. I can relate to the guys who have come in here and can offer a helping hand.
“When I went to Poland and Turkey, there were guys who took me aside and helped. I consciously try to do that now at Wolves. In my experience, having someone to help takes the pressure off, releases stress.
“I’m only 28 but I’ve been to a few places and picked up experience.
“The foreign guys appreciate the help.
“ I’ve told them not to struggle within themselves.
“If they need something, speak to me. I’ve been in that position and there’s nothing worse for a new player.”
Douglas has been one of the stars of Wolves’ season, providing a league-high nine assists and netting four goals.
“It’s great to get recognition but I have belief in my own ability. I’ve been playing well for the past few years,” he added.
“Maybe now that I’m back in the UK, people are noticing my performances a bit more.
“Every other day, I stay behind to work on set-piece delivery, corners or free-kicks on my own. It’s about getting into a rhythm and finding your range.
“Sometimes in a game, you only get one free-kick and you have to step up.”
The wing-back is certainly settled at Wolves – and has his sights set on the Premier League.
“I was just as ambitious as the club so I had every intention of being successful,” he said.
“You definitely feel more pressure at the top. There’s expectation on us.
“When we don’t play so well, it’s a wee reality check but our gaffer would never let anyone get complacent.”
