The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Lichties striker Ryan Wallace 100% fit as he blasts through 100-goal barrier
Arbroath hitman bemused by all the talk of injuries since Pars exit
Ryan Wallace reckons he has proven he is no crock after blasting through the 100 career goals barrier to fire Arbroath to the top of the Ladbrokes League One table.
The 28-year-old frontman has been fed up with accusations he cannot hack it after a problematic time with injuries when at Dunfermline.
Wallace has scarcely missed a match in the past two years but some people still go on about his previous problems.
Wallace, the Ladbrokes League One player of the month for August, said: “I don’t understand it but people keep going on about me being always injured but I have barely missed a game since I left Dunfermline in 2016.
“Sure, I had some problems there and it was frustrating at times, but I’m absolutely 100% and loving it at Arbroath.
“We’ve made a great start to the season, even if we are maybe a little disappointed with draws against Dumbarton and then Brechin last week.
“But we’re up there, unbeaten and feeling good that we can definitely be challengers in what is a very open division this season.
“We just fell short last season which was really disappointing but we feel we have the capability of winning promotion this season.
“On a personal level it was obviously great to reach 100 career goals, which I actually did in July, but I have kicked on with a few more in August so I’m delighted.
“Now I’m aiming for 150. Not too many get to that total so that would be great.”
It was an Arbroath double as boss Dick Campbell was named Ladbrokes League One manager of the month for their excellent August.
Wallace says it is a joy to work with the veteran boss, who is Scotland’s longest serving manager.
He said: “Working with Dick, his brother Ian and John Young is great.
“Yes, it’s old school in some ways but we have all the up-to-date training methods too.”
Campbell, whose side faces Annan in the Challenge Cup today , said: “I’ve got a great team this season.
“We’re a bit disappointed that we didn’t hold on for the win against Brechin last Saturday but overall we have been very good.
“It’s always a pleasure to win one of these awards – and I’m fortunate enough to have had a few of them – but we need to keep working hard to achieve our aims.”