Stevie Mallan won't rule out Hibs return as he reveals Jack Ross message and speaks on Yeni Malatyaspor loan
Hibs midfielder Stevie Mallan hasn't given up on a future at Easter Road, despite heading out on loan to Turkey.
The 24-year-old joined Yeni Malatyaspor on loan during the January transfer window after finding first-team opportunities increasingly limited in the Capital and marked his debut for the Super Lig side with a goal in a 2-2 draw with Göztepe before a late substitute appearance in Monday’s 2-0 defeat by Trabzonspor.
Even though Hibs boss Jack Ross was reluctant to lose the former St Mirren man for the remainder of the campaign, Mallan insists he couldn't pass up the chance to be playing regularly.
"I could do well here and who knows what might happen? Other teams could come in for me," he said.
“But I’ve got another year to go at Hibs and might improve so much over here that I go back and play at Easter Road.
“I’m here to have a bit of time on my own, work on my game, get my head into football again – and play consistently. If I can do that and get better, I might be able to take that back to Scotland.”
Mallan is the latest young Scot to try his luck overseas after encouragement from the elder statesmen in the Hibs dressing room.
Speaking to the Sunday Mail he said: “[Playing abroad] is always something I’ve thought about. I look at Liam [Henderson] going to Italy and doing really well, and Ryan Gauld is ripping it up in Portugal.
“So it crossed my mind a few times recently. I had to experience it.”
Despite heading out on loan, Ross is keeping a close eye on Mallan’s progress.
“When I made the move he got in touch right away to make sure I’d settled in," the midfielder revealed. “Straight after the match on Thursday he sent a text to say congrats on the goal.
“Even though I’m on loan, he still makes me feel part of the squad. The fact he didn’t want me to go made me feel better.
“I just didn’t want to miss this opportunity, get a few minutes here and there at Hibs then kick myself about not going to Turkey.
“It was a difficult decision but hopefully it will turn out to be the right one."