Mallan needs to show Yorkshire grit to make the grade

STEVIE MALLAN’S collection of wonder goals have proved popular online hits around the football globe. A few clicks closer to home in the Barnsley coaching room, to refresh memories, might come in handy right now for the frustrated Scotland Under-21 midfielder. The former St Mirren talent (left) is still waiting to play for the English Championship club that paid £200,000 for his services six months ago, his work not considered good enough by manager Paul Heckingbottom to warrant a debut. The 21-year-old was let loose by Scot Gemmill on Holland in September, scoring in a classy Scotland victory. Other than outings for Gemmil’s side, Mallan has been restricted to playing for Barnsley’s Under-23 squad — a far cry from his 112 appearances in two-and-a-half seasons for Saints.

He signed off in pleasing fashion with six goals in the last nine Championship fixtures as Jack Ross steered St Mirren to safety. Yet his new employers, 16th in the English second tier, have not been anywhere near as needy for Mallan and that’s been quite the culture shock since he landed the big move south. Mallan said: ‘In the first couple of months — as anyone would who is so used to playing every week — I sort of started to wonder: Why am I here?

‘But everyone at the club who have seen me frustrated have tried to keep my mind at ease.

‘They all know I was a good player, that I wouldn’t be there if they didn’t want me there. I’ve come to terms with it now.

‘There’s a few things they are waiting on me to improve on that I need to work on.

‘At St Mirren I knew I was going to be playing every week, so it’s been a different experience for myself.

‘There’s been a lot to think about when you’re frustrated. The manager knows I’ve had to move away from my family and he has spoken to me a lot.

‘I didn’t expect to move down and go straight into the team. But I just wanted a chance to get on and show what I could do at some stage. There’s games I’ve watched where I’ve thought I could bring something to the team.

‘So when you are training every day, thinking you’re doing well and you have a chance of playing then not getting into the team. It can be tough. I spoke to a lot of people to change my mindset and that helped. I think I’ve learned a lot. My game has changed, I’d say I’ve had to grow up a lot.

‘Playing in the Under-23s for Barnsley has helped me in a football sense, too, but obviously I’d rather be playing first team. So I’ve got to earn that. The manager wants me to stand out in games and training. I feel I’ve started to do that, so I hope to be involved more.’

While Mallan has struggled at Oakwell, housemate Liam Lindsay has enjoyed 12 starts including a 1-0 defeat to Spurs in the League Cup. The former Partick Thistle defender was a surprise omission from Malky Mackay’s senior squad, according to Mallan.

‘I was a bit shocked that he wasn’t called up,’ said Mallan.

‘I’ve watched him most weeks and he’s a great player.

‘He’s coming up against better players in the English Championship — and handled it easily sometimes.’