Malky’s English swoop
physical one so you don’t want to start dwelling on the ‘What could have beens’ and ‘What ifs’. “Clearly at that moment it wasn’t my time to go anywhere. Thankfully Cardiff showed some faith in me. “And I’m quite a happy guy in general. I’m a big believer in what’s for you won’t go by you, so you have to maintain positive thoughts. “Smile that you’re alive and healthy and worry about getting fit again.” Neil Warnock’s decision to pursue Paterson’s signing despite him only being halfway through his rehabilitation was obviously a relief – but the defender knew it was only half the battle. He said: “On the footballing side it was difficult. I took my girlfriend down and she was thrown in at the deep end, looking for jobs and stuff, but we’re both settled and enjoying it. “I was injured when I went down but it was good that a club had shown faith in me and hopefully I can repay the manager. Everyone at Cardiff has been great with me. The boys have included me even when I’m not training or doing stuff with the first team. It’s a good environment and I’m enjoying it.
“I’ve had a lot of positive people around me in the rehab room. Another player, Rhys Healey, also had a cruciate injury and we’ve become good friends.
“Rhys has just come back and got himself a new contract. He’s really happy and it’s good to have positive people around you.”
After a 162-game, five-year education at Tynecastle, Paterson felt it was time to challenge himself in a different environment.
And after being bled gradually into the Bluebirds’ promotion challenge, he confessed: “It’s a lot more physical than I thought it would be. Everyone is bigger, faster and stronger but I’m fitting in so far and hopefully I can kick on.
“When you’re lining up at corners it’s a bit different as well – people are taller than me and better in the air but it’s good to welcome a new challenge.”
The ultimate challenge for Paterson, after establishing himself in the team, is getting to the next rung on the ladder.
And he believes he’s in the right place, with the right manager.
Warnock has a record seven promotions in the English game to his name. Paterson said: “Every footballer in the world wants to play in the Premier League. If they say they don’t then they are lying.
“Cardiff have already been there and are looking to go back up. That was a massive reason for me coming here.
“The manager also showed massive faith in me when I was injured and I want to repay him.
“He’s great – he’s casual, calm and assertive.
“That’s exactly what I need at this point, one-to-one coaching and an experienced gaffer.
“He’s a great man-manager. Even with me being out for such a long time and coming back and playing games, he’s been good – telling me to take rest days and stuff like that.
“And he’s got a good Scottish connection as well. He owns a home in Scotland and spends a lot of time here. I’ve also got Craig Bryson on loan with me down here as well so it’s nice to have another Scottish boy in the dressing room.” grandparent rule. And after being approached by the SFA performance director, both have asked for time to consider their options.
The duo have been capped by England Under-20s. And Mackay had a close-up look at Barnes in the summer when the 19-year-old scored a double against Scotland in the Toulon Tournament semis before netting in the final shoot-out triumph.
Adams, 21, hasn’t made England’s U21 squad in recent months despite being the subject of eight-figure bids by Fulham and Derby on deadline day in August.
Along with Man United’s Scott McTominay – who rejected the chance to play for Scotland against Holland this week – Mackay has allowed all three to delay a decision for now, with no qualifiers until next year.
Mackay, who has been ruled out of the running for the manager’s job full-time, made major changes to the squad and staff ahead of the friendly defeat to Holland.
He said: “For the structure around the team and staff I expect Champions League standard and I’ll be involved in the performance staff who come in.
“Al l these things help footballers now. It’s where the 21s are and that pathway needs to be unbroken. Scot Gemmill and I are on the same page so hopefully that means these young players can come through.”