Nairn feels like the right fit, says new signing Tony Wallace
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FINDING a club that “felt right” was the key influence in Tony Wallace putting pen to paper at Nairn County.
Wallace grew frustrated with his time at professional Scottish Championship side Morton, where he was in and out of the side, and hopes a switch to the Highland League can reinvigorate his love for football.
A product of the youth system at Dumbarton, the midfielder signed a one-year contract at Nairn over the summer and made his debut during Saturday’s 1-0 win over Inverurie Locos. He impressed in pre-season for Les Fridge’s side and netted in the friendly against Ross County.
Thirty-four appearances came Wallace’s way over two seasons at Morton under Allan Moore and former Kilmarnock boss Kenny Shiels. Two loan spells at Queen’s Park only saw him make a further 10 ten appearances, before he decided to leave upon the expiry of his contract in June 2014.
“I got to the stage at Morton where I was training every day but knew I wasn’t going to be playing at the weekend. You want to be training through the week and rewarded with a game at the end of it,” said Wallace, who spent last season at Lowland League side BSC Glasgow after leaving Morton despite overtures from Nairn.
“Kyle Wilkie was here last year and he asked me to come up after I left Morton. I was close to signing and wanted to get back enjoying football after Morton, where I was in and out of the team.
“I had to get that buzz back from playing on a Saturday. I decided to stay close to home because I wasn’t sure how travelling would be. I had a feeling through the season that maybe I should have signed because you feel like you’re wanted here. There’s parts of the club that are professional and the pitch is unbelievable, so that’s why I signed this year.”
The 24-year-old admits he misses the day-to-day training of professional football but would not be averse to extending his stay at County beyond the end of the season.
Based in Glasgow, Wallace works for the council in a temporary job until September, but intends to get another job in the central belt to be close to his son. He trains through the week with Glasgow junior side Yoker and will travel up to the Highlands at the weekend for games.
“Martin Hardie, a guy I knew from Morton, is a coach there so training is very good. He’s been full-time for years so training is at a good standard,” said Wallace. “Last year I played well, only because I was enjoying my football, coming to training and playing games.
“Of course you do miss professional football. Nothing beats going in every day and training. But at the same time, the club needs to be right for you and Nairn feels right.”
A top-four finish is well within reach for the Wee County this season according to Wallace, who admits he was surprised at where the club finished the last campaign.
“When I saw them last year, I thought they were a very good side and as the year went on, when I was keeping an eye on their results, I was quite surprised with where they finished. I thought they would have finished higher,” he added.
