Gaffer salutes Mallan

St Mirren manager Jack Ross last night insisted St Mirren couldn’t stand in the way of Stevie Mallan after his move to English side Barnsley was confirmed.

The 21-year-old midfielder finally sealed his move to the English Championship side yesterday evening after the Oakwell side had a bid, believed to be in the region of £300,000, accepted on Monday.

Mallan has been down south for much of the week and is understood to have passed a medical on Monday afternoon. Both parties have since been around the negotiating table with Mallan finally penning a three- year contract with Paul Heckingbottom’s side.

Mallan had come close to leaving for the Yorkshire side during the January transfer window, only for a move to breakdown.

But with a deal now complete, St Mirren boss Ross admits Mallan’s departure is big blow following his fine form at the tail-end of the last campaign.

Ross told Express Sport: “Stevie’s ability and his stats towards the end of the season show that he will be missed. I think any club would miss a player of his talent.

“He deserves his opportunity to progress his career, he was keen to try and do that.

“We had a good conversation in January because he went through a difficult period then and we had a trust between us that it would happen in the summer if he produced the performance levels that he was capable of.

“I’m pleased for him but I’m disappointed for us because in a selfish view I would much rather have kept him.”

Mallan, who made his debut for the Buddies in 2014, featured over 100 times for the Paisley side. His 11 goals last season proved pivotal in Saints’ escape from the relegation places.

And upon signing, he admitted he can’t wait to prove his worth in the English Championship.

Mallan said: “I am very excited to take the next step in my career.

“I definitely feel like Barnsley was the right choice to make, so I am excited to get working with all the other boys.

“I have seen Barnsley come up from League One and finish 14th, which is an amazing achievement, so I am looking forward to getting started and, hopefully, adding to the squad.

“I am very impressed with the setup here as well. Compared to the stadia I have played at in Scotland, this is massive.”