Irvine has had a rocky ride to life at the KCOM Stadium, after his August transfer from Burton Albion, with manager Leonid Slutsky sacked in December and replaced by Adkins after only 21 games in charge.

Hull are currently just above the relegation zone in the Championship with five wins from 28 games so far this seeason.

The 24-year-old was constantly moved around into different positions under Slutsky, but has found a home in central midfield with Adkins.

Irvine believes his performances have improved under the former Southampton and Sheffield United manager.

“He kind of understands how to get the best out of me,” the Socceroo said.

“Unfortunately for Leonid Slutsky, just the way we were losing the games, so many last-minute goals, it was fractions from being completely different.

“It went from chasing the magic formula – playing in left midfield and moving players around, and when you start experimenting like that and then it doesn’t work then unfortunately that was probably one of the things that cost him his job in the end.

“You never like to see the manager, especially the manager who signed you, to go.

“But fortunately for myself the new manager and new staff that have come in obviously recognize I bring something to the table and my performances have been getting significantly better.

“Fingers crossed that continues and leads to more positive results.”

 


His first season in east Yorkshire has not gone completely to plan, but Irvine is not regretting his move away from Burton.

“No disrespect to Burton but they’re ambition is always going to be to survive," he said.

"Although that’s how our season has turned out, I’ve come here with a long-term view of progressing back to that level. This team’s had two promotions in its last two years here and the third time is going to be a lot more difficult with a big turnover of players.

"But this is a club that wants to get back there and will aim to build to get back to that level. Survival’s going to be primary this season but with a long-term view to definitely try and progress back to the Premier League.”