Scotland under-21s midfielder Harvey St Clair is determined to make waves in Venice to impress his new boss

Harvey St Clair is hoping to kick-start his career this season following his return to Italy.

The Scotland Under-21 midfielder spent last season on loan at Kilmarnock where he struggled to make any impact.

Now back in Serie B with his parent club, Venezia, he is confident his 2020-21 campaign will be a different story.

“It was a mutual decision for me to come back to Venice. I spoke with the club and they really want me here this season,” said St Clair.

“They want me to play in as many matches as possible, and try to help the club to progress.”

Venezia have a new manager, Paolo Zanetti, who has been brought in with a mandate to shake up the side and deliver promotion to Italy’s top flight.

“I have really enjoyed working under him so far,” said St Clair, who came through the Chelsea youth system alongside current stars Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori.

“He has good attacking ideas about the game and that suits me because it is something inside me – I always want to attack.

“The coach has told me to be ready for the opportunity when it comes and that is exactly what I will be.

“I am very happy to be here and very happy to try to progress as far as possible. I want to start as many games as I possibly can. I want to really rack up the minutes.

“The coach has told me to be ready for the opportunity when it comes and that is exactly what I will be.

“This year can do a lot for me.

“Obviously on the pitch, I have the chance to play in Serie B, which is a very good league.

“The style of football is different to that in the UK, so it is good for me to experience the contrast.

“Off the pitch, I will have the chance to try a different culture and learn a new language. That can only benefit me in a positive way.”

St Clair, who was born in London but qualifies to play for Scotland through his mother, meanwhile insisted he does not regret his time north of the border with Kilmarnock.

“Obviously it was a difficult time because I was not playing. But I kept getting little injuries at crucial points in the season,” he said.

“It is what it is. I had some good experiences in Scotland.

“I had a good relationship with Angelo Alessio. He is a very polite man, and I have only positive things to say about him.

“For the moment, I have to focus on establishing myself in the Venezia team. But of course, it is still my ambition to one day play for the Scotland senior side.”