Tam Courts met 20 Honved Ultras to plead for patience as he refuses to back down from daunting salvage job

Built in 1914, the Paris Udvar Hotel in Budapest is an architectural gem. Just yards from the Danube, its ornate lobby with high ceilings and French champagne bar makes you feel like you’ve been transported back in time.

Outside, it’s searing hot, with temperatures touching 30 degrees. But inside, the marble floors help to cool you down. And as Tam Courts strides into the salubrious reception area, no-one in there looks more relaxed.

Talking about time. This is a long way from Kelty, in deepest, darkest Fife, where he started his managerial career. But it’s a sign of how far he’s come that Courts looks at home in his new surroundings. It’s been 39 hours since Honved’s 4-0 defeat to Fehervar. In his first job abroad, he’s been in charge for two competitive games. No points, no goals. He should look like a man with the weight of the city's Liberty Statue on his shoulders.

But, on the outside at least, Courts doesn’t show it. “As manager here, it’s like the graceful swan above water - but the feet are paddling like hell underneath," he says. But Courts isn’t the type to wilt in the Hungarian heat.

Throwing himself into challenges is what he’s done all his life. It's who he is. Whether it was a crunching tackle as a Junior player at Hill of Beath Hawthorn or quitting his day job to become a full-time gaffer, nothing appears to faze him.

There’s an inherent belief, desire and sheer single-mindedness to succeed. He could get taxis around Budapest to avoid the busy traffic. But no, the following day he got his 13th parking ticket since arriving here.

He’s learning about driving abroad, learning about managing in Europe. Most importantly, he’s learning about himself.

How many other Scottish coaches go abroad to test themselves?