Ryan Porteous feels he had to take himself out of his "comfort zone" by moving from Hibernian to Watford if he was to progress and boost his chances of becoming a Scotland regular.
Porteous, 23, came through the ranks at Hibs and went on to make more than 150 appearances before a switch to English Championship Watford in January.
Watford paid about £450,000 for him after he had turned down an offer to remain at Easter Road when his contract expired this summer. He has since made nine appearances.
"The move came at a good time for me," said the Scotland centre-back.