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London - Burnley midfielder Joey Barton claims the criticism he receives only makes him more determined to succeed in his second stint with the Premier League club.
Barton was a key component of the Clarets squad that won promotion to England's top flight in the 2015/16 season, but left to join Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers last year.
However, the move did not go as planned for the 34-year-old and he was a free agent by November after he left Rangers by mutual consent in November.
He re-signed with Burnley at the start of the January transfer window and made his return to action on Saturday, coming off the bench to score the winner against Southampton.
"I feel I'm in a better place physically and mentally," he said.
"I'm a lot more hungry because people have written me off. I'm a lot more humble because the club didn't have to show this faith in me.
"It hasn't been an easy couple of months as you can imagine. There are not that many players who take that route of going to Scotland, it not working out, and before you know it, it's January and you're back playing in the Premier League and scoring the winner. Even I didn't think that was possible.
"Sometimes things just work out funny. Football is a funny old game."
Barton will be hoping to put in another match-winning display when Burnley travel to the Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal in an English Premiership clash on Sunday.
Kick off is at 16:15.
