Former Hibs star set for transfer decision on joining Premiership rival as next move addressed
Midfielder is currently a free agent after his St Johnstone contract ran out in May
Former Hibs man Stevie Mallan could be given a career lifeline at St Mirren after impressing Buddies boss Craig McLeish during pre-season.
The 30-year old midfielder has struggled with injuries since his three year spell at Easter Road came to end in 2021 but has now been given a chance at the club where it all began for him. He’s now been training in Paisley for three weeks and impressed during a 30-minute cameo in the 4-0 Premier Sports Cup victory away to Cove Rangers, where he was listed as a trialist.
Mallan’s progress has caught the eye of McLeish, who was given a permanent Buddies contract last month, after helping them stay in the Scottish Premiership. The new gaffer must now weigh up his options and make a decision on what to do with the former Barnsley and Salford City man, who helped St Johnstone gain promotion from the Championship last season before his contract ran out.
St Mirren to make decision ‘sooner rather than later’ on ex Hibee
McLeish told the Sun: "It probably needs to come to a head sooner rather than later. Stevie has been with us for three weeks and it's credit to him more than anything. At the start it was a case of using our training facilities until he saw what was happening. But Stevie's done so well. He's really fit, he's been sharp and great in training, and I wanted to see him involved in a competitive fixture. It's a busy area of the pitch right now and we do have some priorities we are trying to fill. Stevie knows the situation and we need to make a decision.”
Mallan made 19 appearances last season for St Johnstone after an injury robbed him of nearly two years of his career. The former Scotland Under-21 international suffered devastating foot issues while at Salford. He endured similar problems at Easter Road, where he scored 13 goals from midfield during an impressive debut campaign, but fell victim to a knee injury in his second season at the club.
Mallan ‘fantastic’ since re-joining Buddies in training
It’s been a busy transfer window already for St Mirren, who’ve lost key men Mark O’Hara and Miguel Freckleton to Kilmarnock and LASK respectively. The League Cup champions have signed six players so far during the summer window, in what has been a significant squad overhaul. While McLeish has claimed strengthening the midfield isn’t a priority, Mallan’s success on the training pitch has put him in signing contention.
Earlier this month, McLeish told the BBC: "The plan initially was that he would come in and train and then, when we were away to Spain, he would train with the under-19s. But he did that well in the first week that we thought we have to take a look at this and seriously consider it and he's been fantastic. He's come back and he's so fit and he's been really good around the place, really energetic and shows his quality on the ball has never left him. He just needs a run at it - a run of games."