STEVIE Mallan admits there have been moments when he feared his switch to Barnsley was a mistake.
However, the Scotland Under-21 star insists he is now relishing the opportunity to prove himself all over again.
The 21-year-old left St Mirren in a £200,000 deal but he is yet to make his senior bow for the SkyBet Championship outfit and he admits the adjustment to bit-part player has been tough.
“In the first couple of months – as anyone would – you start to wonder ‘why am I here’?” said Mallan. “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 team, but when you are training every day and thinking you are doing well, then not getting into the team, it can be frustrating.
“But I have came to terms with it now and it is just about me showing what I can do.
“The manager [Paul Heckingbottom] has 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.”
Mallan’s lack of first-team football has been thrown into sharp relief by the form of compatriot Liam Lindsay, who has cemented his place in the Barnsley side since joining from Partick Thistle. The pair live together in Yorkshire, but Mallan is not envious of his flatmate’s success.
“I would say it makes it a bit easier,” he said. “Moving out from my family was a big deal for me and I think if I was on my own, it could be a problem. Staying with Liam and seeing him doing well has been brilliant and it takes your mind off things.”
As he desperately seeks to catch his club manager’s eye, Mallan knows shining for Scotland’s Under-21 side in the European qualifiers is a good start and he had his chances in the 1-1 draw against Latvia on Friday night. He will be seeking a better result against Ukraine on Tuesday night in Perth.
“Hopefully doing well for Scotland can show the manager what I can do in big games,” added Mallan. “It’s that extra little bit of proof of what I can do if he wants to throw me in."
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