Gold Coast United's marquee player Jason Culina believes his move to the A-League has made him a better player already. The former PSV Eindhoven midfielder raised eyebrows with his return to his Australia whilst at the height of his game in Europe but has revealed how he is feeling better playing where he now is.

"I think my level has actually been raised. I'm fitter now, I feel better, and I'm enjoying my football even more," the 29-year-old said.

"There's no need for people to question that side of things. What a lot of people don't realise that playing games, week to week, is better than certain situations with players in the Socceroos who aren't playing.

"Just because you're playing in Europe doesn't mean it's any better than playing in the A-League.

"When I was in Europe, there were a lot of poor games I saw on TV and in the Dutch league. A lot of people perceive Europe as being great and all that and forget about their own A-League, which I think now is actually at a very high level.

"When people talk about this and that and your standard dropping... I think that's just s.h.i.t."