Mallan enjoys toughest fight for jerseys yet
STEVIE MALLAN, the Hibernian midfielder, is adamant the competition for places at Easter Road is the most intense he has ever experienced, as evidenced by soaring standards on the training pitch.
Mallan has endured a frustrating start to the season, making just five substitute appearances prior to starting Wednesday’s 3- 1 victory over Highland League champions Brora Rangers.
Hibs’ rise to third place in the Premiership, allied with the impressive form of Joe Newell and Alex Gogic, have seen the former St Mirren favourite slip down the pecking order. Nor did the arrival of Kyle Magennis on Monday bode well.
And Mallan was evidently out to prove a point against Brora, scoring twice within the opening 12 minutes before claiming an assist for Paul Hanlon’s late header which made the game safe.
“It can be frustrating when you see guys come in and you have to battle with them for places but it genuinely just makes you work harder,” said Mallan. “The manager [ Jack Ross] changes between formations, so there’s always a chance for midfielders to come and it means we need to be on our toes every day in training.
“When you have been out the team for a while, I think you concentrate on training more. When you are starting every week, you kind of take your foot off the gas a bit.
“And the standard in training at the moment is probably the highest I’ve been in since I started playing football because there’s not just myself; it’s guys like Melker [ Hallberg], Drey Wright, David Gray, Darren McGregor.
“They are all chomping at the bit to get in the team. That’s the standard. Everyone is kicking and battering the manager’s door to get in the starting eleven - and that’s the sign of a good team.”
Mallan does not sound like a player ready to throw in the towel, despite his limited game- time this term.
The 24- year- old has battled back manfully from a knee injury which kept him sidelined for the first seven months of 2020, carrying out a portion of his rehabilitation in lockdown.
“I’m always chapping the door of the manager and telling him I want to be in the team,” smiled Mallan. “I want to be involved.
“The manager has always said if someone slips up I’ll be in contention so – as bad as it sounds – you’re waiting on someone slipping up.”
Meanwhile, Jamie Murphy is set to miss Hibs’ next two Betfred Cup fixtures after
limping off during the win over Brora Rangers. However, head coach Ross in confident his injury curse has not struck again.
Murphy, 31, had to be replaced after 50 minutes of the contest when he abruptly pulled up clutching the back of his leg. He was immediately replaced by Martin Boyle.
Ross has confirmed that the former Rangers and Motherwell winger felt pain in his hamstring and, having endured a year- long lay- off during his stint at Ibrox, the decision was made to take no chances. Even if the issue is minimal, he is unlikely to feature in the upcoming games against Cove Rangers and Forfar.
“Jamie [ Murphy] felt his hamstring but we don’t think it is too serious,” said Ross.
“We will assess it, but even at this stage I would expect Saturday to come too soon for him, possibly Tuesday as well. If that is the case, we will work towards the Ross County match, and early signs are that it’s not too serious.”