BIG INTERVIEW
Yet fast-for ward to t he Januar y w indow and the Barnsley defender was suddenly worth in the region of £6million. Welcome to the crazy world of the English transfer market. TheScot himself admits his va luation is crazy considering where he’s come from. But is it really England ’s problem? Or are our clubs here to blame for talented players being sold on the cheap? Lindsay believes it’s a bit of both. Certainly, he’s convinced that Scottish sides aren’t being paid a true va lue for their most prized assets. The big centre-back was praised during his time in the Premiership at Firhill, having broken into Alan Archibald ’s team as a teenager. But you’d have been laughed out of town if you’d predicted then that the likes of Premier League side Brighton would soon be af ter him for £6m. That’s the reality for Lindsay now, though. Having excelled in his f irst season at Oakwell, despite the Tykes’ struggles in the Championship, he’s generating serious interest. And pay ing that k ind of money for a 22-year-old centreback is regarded as a snip in England’s top flight. Theumoursr about Lindsay’s future surprised him but didn’t have an adverse affect on his performances. For now, he’s happy i n Yorkshire, sharing digs with fellow Scot Stevie Mallan. B ut he’s s u r e o f o n e t h i n g . That he’s the perfect example of how clubs north of the border are underselling their best players. He t old MailSport: “I don’t think there were any concrete offers for me i n Januar y but there was interest there.
“That figure of £6m was mentioned and it ’s a bit mad considering I moved down south for only £350,0 00.
“For my value to go up so much in half a year seems crazy. “Obviously I read the rumours of a move but you can’t let it affect you. “I suppose it’s a sign of how w e l l I’ v e do ne s o f a r i n E n g la nd . And of course, it’s nice to get that kind of recognition – it boosts your confidence. “Players are under valued in Scotland, definitely. Clubs undersell their players up there. “The money going around English football is unbelievable. Theycan pay crazy amounts – so they do. “But the Scottish boys a re underpriced by them. “I see players mov ing down here for millions but I know young Scottish players who are as good i f not better. The game back home is looked down on and I’m not sure how we change that. “When I speak to English boys I get the sense they don’t think the Scottish game is up to much. “I’m not sure if they’re w inding me up or not. “TheEnglish fans probably disregard it even more.” Lindsay has been a revelation for Barnsley since arriving from Thistle. Despite a recent change in manager – when Paul Heck ingbottom lef t for Leeds – he’s been a regular performer in their battle against the drop. TheGla s w e g ia n a d m its it wa s tough to leave Firhill due to a fear he might not cut it straight away in the Championship. Eventually, a belief in his own ability saw him head south – and he hasn’t looked back. He said: “The move has worked out exactly the way I wanted. I’m at a Championship club and, most importantly, I’m play ing every week. “Thatwas the key thing before