Mallan delighted to bounce back as midfielder plans to force his way into line-up
STEVIE MALLAN is aiming to cement a spot in Jack Ross’ starting line-up after playing his first minutes of the season for Hibs against St Johnstone on Sunday.
The attacking midfielder was introduced from the bench as the Easter Road outfit defeated Saints thanks to a late penalty at McDiarmid Park.
Mallan was tasked with converting the spot kick and after not having played a match since Boxing Day, you would have expected the 24-year-old to have some nerves as he stepped up to the mark.
But as cool as you like, the former St Mirren and Barnsley man smashed past Elliott Parish in the St Johnstone goal to send his team joint-top of the Scottish Premiership.
“It’s been some seven months,” Mallan admitted. “The only thing that really killed me though was lockdown, because I came back from injury the week before, just before we stopped, and then during lockdown I didn’t really have the facilities to do my rehab.
“I had a little setback because all I did was run during lockdown, so to finally get on the pitch after a long seven, eight months is a great feeling and obviously to bag the winner is even better.
“I’ve had a good few weeks training now and I feel up for it, I feel fit. It’ll be hard to obviously get in the team because the team is winning just now – it’s probably the hardest point to get in – but then it’s a good thing for the gaffer because he’s got that squad at his disposal.
“It’s just up to me. I’ve got to bide my time and wait for my chance and if I get a start, I’ve got to take it with both hands.”
Hibs’ next four games include Aberdeen, Celtic and Rangers and Mallan knows his team will need to improve if they want to keep adding to their impressive points total for the season so far.
Ross’ side were second best in Perth, but the fact they came away with the three points has given the Easter Road squad belief.
“It just shows the hard work that we’ve put in, and the winning mentality going from last year to this year. We’ve not conceded a goal in open play, which is a credit to the defence,” Mallan added. “Times like this last year, it was other teams getting last-minute goals ... that happened a lot last year. We’ve tried to nullify that as much as we can and the chances up front will take care of themselves with the boys that we’ve got at our disposal.”
Meanwhile, St Johnstone skipper Jason Kerr was disappointed to come away empty handed from Sunday’s Scottish Premiership match.
Saints had a perfectly good goal ruled out for offside, while the late penalty left manager Callum Davidson and his players feeling enraged.
Kerr said: “I was right beside Callum Hendry at the time and couldn’t see if he was offside. But I’ve seen it back and there are at least three boys playing him onside. One of them is playing him two yards onside.
“I’m confused as to why the linesman has given it as offside. I don’t get it and it’s a bread and butter decision.
“I’m a bit disappointed with the penalty as well. I’ve had a look and Liam Gordon actually gets pushed. It’s a decision where I don’t think you need to give a penalty. It’s a contact sport and there are always hands on players in the box.
“Liam [Gordon] feels very hard done by. He was just trying to win the ball and someone went into the back of him.”