JON GALLAGHER reckons Aberdeen is the perfect place for him to continue his development after extending his loan spell at Pittodrie.

The midfielder joined the Dons on an initial six-month deal in the summer as he made the move from Atlanta United.

Gallagher has made 27 appearances so far this term as he has become a key member of the Reds squad. And he is confident there is plenty more to come as he learns his trade under the guidance of boss Derek McInnes.

He said: “It is trying to take the lessons that I learned in the first half of the season. There were a couple of ups and downs for myself and the team and it is building on what I have learned.

“I was in the dark for a while about what was going to happen and I had conversations with my agent as well. Personally I wanted to see out the rest of the season because I had made such big steps with my personal development and as a player and I feel that I can keep improving.

“I didn’t want to cut it that short and Atlanta were happy for me to continue because there is that partnership between the clubs at the moment. The gaffer here expressed that he wanted me to stay on and I was happy to.

“I grew up in England for a bit so I saw similarities in that aspect but I feel it is a bit more physical and you get less time on the ball. That was definitely an adjustment I had to make early on.”