Stephenson clocked up 34 appearances across all competitions during his spell in Scotland and was used in a raft of different positions en route to being named Dundee United’s Young Player of the Season.
He chipped in with three goals, too.
Comfortable in defensive and midfield roles, adaptability is an attribute he considers only to be a positive.
Stephenson said: “[It] was interesting! But it landed me in good stead because I’ve obviously come back here and played centre-half against Preston, which is not my natural position.
“But I played in so many positions last year, I kind of just got used to learning on the job and doing it. Obviously I had a lot of good lads around me last year, and playing with Joe [Gomez] at centre-back last week against Preston, he just talked me through the game.
“When you’re playing with players like that, it makes it much easier.
“I think it [being versatile] is a good thing, it can only benefit you can’t it really? I think if I couldn’t play in all of those positions, my chances would become more limited and you’re kind of stuck to one position.
“Where I’m kind of in the mindset that if there’s a space at right-back, I’ll play there. If there’s no space at right-back, where is the space and let’s see if I can fill a place.”
For now, Stephenson is just focused on making the absolute most of his involvement at the Reds.
Amid training sessions on tour, a friendly versus AC Milan in Hong Kong on Saturday will be followed by a meeting with Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan next Wednesday.
Describing his aims in the short term, he said: “It’s to get as many minutes as I can in pre-season with the team and the games, and then kind of just keep on learning through pre-season.
“These experiences for young players are massively valuable. So, kind of take every session as it comes and keep learning from people.”
