I was at Peterhead on loan before leaving Scottish football – now I'm a history-making double winner playing in Europe

Three years ago Shaun Want’s career was going nowhere. Apart from Peterhead on loan.

But incredibly, as 2024 comes to an end he can reflect on trips to the likes of Kosovo, Norway, Slovenia, Belarus and Gibraltar. Not to mention big European games against top clubs from Switzerland and Belgium. And it was one decision that changed everything. One dive into the unknown.

One leap of faith to save his career. When Want was offered a deal at Larne FC in Northern Ireland he was immediately against it. After all, he had been at Hamilton from the age of. It was familiar. They might have been getting beat most weeks – but the stadium wasn’t far from his house in Glasgow’s south side. So why change?

But as he pondered his future following a loan spell at Balmoor Stadium, something told him to take the plunge and throw off his Accies’ security blanket. Want hoped it would offer him new opportunities but he couldn’t have predicted his life would change. Since signing for Larne he has become a double title-winner. And, more importantly, a UEFA Conference League player.

This season the County Antrim outfit became the first club from Northern Ireland to reach the group phase of a European competition. And 10 days ago they secured the result they craved at that level by seeing off Belgian cracks Gent.

Want is still trying to compute what Nathan Rooney’s side have achieved. But he’s sure of one thing. Going there was the best decision he has ever made.

In an exclusive interview with Record Sport, the 27-year-old defender said: “I was at a stage of my career and life where I was just comfortable at Hamilton. I had been there so long. It was easy for me. I’d go into training every day and maybe not play at the weekend.

“But it was