When Steve Kean left Hibernian to manage in Georgia, he discovered a home from home. The people were warm and welcoming, the obsession with football reassuring. Referees earned danger money and, from time to time, passions spilled over. It felt just like Scotland.
Appointed manager of Torpedo Kutaisi in May, the Glaswegian arrived midway through a season going nowhere fast.
From being 13 points adrift of a European slot, a run of one defeat in 14 league games now offers a realistic chance of Europa Conference League football. The Scot is a contender for manager of the year.