Paddy McCourt says he isn't thinking about his long-term future and is focusing on getting Barnsley out of the relegation zone.
The winger has become an instant hit at Oakwell after signing a one-year deal in the summer following his release by Celtic.
McCourt – who scored one of the best goals in recent Barnsley history against Middlesbrough last month – says he is delighted to be back playing football having started Barnsley's last seven games.
The 29-year-old said: "I've not had any long-term thoughts at the minute. I'm just concentrating on the team. The manager (David Flitcroft) brought me here and has given me a platform to play regular football at a good level. I spoke to a few Championship clubs and I might have chosen a bigger club where I could have earned more money had it not been for my personal bond with the manager.
"I've known him since I was 17 (when they both played at Rochdale) and although my career went one way and his went another, we kept in touch and it was great to get a call from him in the summer. I've enjoyed working with him again. I know what he's like as a character and hopefully now as a team we can get a few wins and pull away from that relegation zone."
Northern Ireland international McCourt, who started just 20 games in five seasons at Celtic but became a cult hero amongst their fans, is already enjoying similar status at Barnsley. He says he enjoys hearing his name being chanted from the terraces and is settling well at the club.
"I've been quite pleased," he said. "I thoroughly enjoyed my five years at Celtic. Being a fan, it was a great experience and if I'd have been playing regularly there I'd have stayed for the rest of my career. But it was getting frustrating and it was time to move on.
"It's pleasing that the fans are appreciating me at Barnsley. It tells me that I've made an impression quickly and am doing things right which the fans want to see. The lads here are a great bunch and I'm happy to be playing regularly."
McCourt, who started his career in the same Rochdale side as Flitcroft before moving to Derry, believes the Reds are on the verge of moving out of the bottom three.
"In the last four or five games we've certainly improved," he said.
"Our performances are better and hopefully we're improving.
"On a personal level, I think there's more to come from me. I'm getting used to playing regularly again and it's good to have that feeling back. People say I'm a luxury player but I'll press and track back if the manager asks me to do that. I've scored a few good goals in my career but the Middlesbrough one is right up there. I wasn't enjoying the first half an hour as I wasn't feeling too well but I managed to get the goal."
