Mallan’s playinga gameof patience
OUT-OF-FAVOUR Stevie Mallan has admitted he wondered whether moving to English Championship side Barnsley was a mistake.
The Scot has struggled to make his mark at Oakwell since joining for a £300,000 summer fee from St Mirren.
Mallan 22, helped the Buddies to Scottish Championship safety with six goals in his last nine games for the club last term.
However, this season he hasn’t even featured in a league matchday squad for the Tykes.
The midfielder said: “In the first couple of months, as anyone would, you start to wonder ‘why am I here’?
“At St Mirren I knew I was going to be playing every week. I didn’t expect to move down and go straight into the Barnsley team.
“But when you’re training every day and thinking you are doing well, then not getting into the team, it can be frustrating.”
Mallan insists he has now come to terms with his role in the squad after numerous discussions with head coach Paul Heckingbottom.
And the Scottish U21 star is waiting patiently in the wings and ready to capitalise when a chance comes along.
He said: “The manager’s spoken to me a lot and people at the club have helped me.
“I have learned a lot. It’s just about getting a chance and taking it.
“Hopefully doing well for Scotland can show the manager what I can do in big games.”