Rory McAllister is one goal away from his landmark 200th for Peterhead – but the veteran striker insists he is not feeling the pressure to make sure today is the day.
The goals and assists are flowing for the 36-year-old, but his only concern is on helping the team rather than personal glory.
He said: “It is a matter of time, but hopefully it will come sooner rather than later. It will happen when it happens.
“I was chasing my 300th career goal last year and it took a while for it to happen and hopefully it doesn’t take so long to reach the 200 for Peterhead.
“It’s something which other people seem to be talking about, as my focus is on winning matches with Peterhead.
“I’ve been back for six games now and scored two goals and contributed five assists, so I’m very happy with that. It’s been a good start and hopefully that will continue.”
‘It feels like I’ve never been away’
A happy player is clearly one who makes a significant contribution in McAllister’s case.
The Blue Toon attacker, who left the club in January 2020 to join Cove Rangers before moving on to Montrose in July 2022, feels firmly back in the old routine since rejoining Peterhead.
McAllister said: “It feels like I’ve never been away. I went to Montrose and looking back it was a rush to move on from Cove.
“It didn’t work out at Montrose. I did okay in games, but I never really settled there and the travelling didn’t help.
“It was affecting my life away from football and I was getting down, but now I feel much happier away from football. Since coming back here it feels like I never left.
“Now I’m back everything feels brilliant again.
“We’ve got quite a young squad and I’m the oldest in the team.
“But it feels like a team which has been together for years. Everyone gets on and there’s a good vibe about the place.
“We’re all mucking in and trying to do our best for each other.”
McAllister craves more cup memories
The Blue Toon host Dundee United in the SPFL Trust Trophy at Balmoor (5.30pm) with a place in the quarter-final of the competition at stake for the victors.
McAllister has good memories from the competition – including a stunning five-goal haul in a 5-3 win at Falkirk in August 2015 and a Hampden appearance against Rangers in the final in April 2016.
The striker joked he has no idea how many more cup matches he has left, but it is clear he is determined to enjoy them to the full.
He said: “It is a competition which I seem to have done well in over the years and long may that continue.
“I say that, but I don’t know how long I’ve got left.
“Hopefully I can keep going for a while yet, though.
“I’m feeling good and I’m enjoying myself.
“It would be nice to get a cup run. It’s good for the club and it can help build momentum to keep going in the league as well.”
Blue Toon must believe they can beat tournament favourites United
The Blue Toon have the toughest test possible against the undefeated Championship leaders United.
Jim Goodwin’s side ran out 3-0 winners in the Viaplay Cup when the sides met in July – but McAllister says his side have belief they can pull off a cup shock.
He said: “We’re on a good run and we will approach it like any other game.
“There’s no reason why we can’t beat them. We’ve beaten better teams than them in the past.
“They are a good side, but there is no point fearing them. We’ve got to approach it believing we can win it.
“We’ll give them the respect they deserve, but we have to go out there looking to win it.”
Conversation