Allen hoping to have a much bigger say

CURTIS Allen spoke to Jonathan McNabb after the striker turned his loan move into a permanent one as the transfer window opened on August 1…

After joining on a six month loan deal back in January, the ex-Lisburn Distillery, Linfield and Glentoran ace made his move permanent on a two-year deal.

It marks a second permanent stay at The Showgrounds for the 32-year-old who has made 93 appearances and scored 44 goals along the way.

Following last weekend’s announcement that Allen would become the first arrival in the summer transfer window, the marksman revealed the break over lockdown has helped eased his recent injury woes.

“I’m happy for the move to be officially done and over the line,” he said.

“Of course I knew it was coming and it would have came as no surprise to supporters, but at the same time, it’s great to get it confirmed.

“It was frustrating that lockdown occurred two months after coming back but with my injury I wasn’t going to play a lot of football, so the break was the best thing that could have happened.

“I was able to train specifically and rest a lot more, and to be honest, I feel ten times better now than I did back in January, so it is great to feel it again after a long year out.”

Allen, who also had a spell in full-time football with Scottish side Inverness Caledonian Thistle, insists he is making up for lost time and spoke of his frustration at missing out on this year’s end to the Irish Cup.

“I know this season I can provide a much bigger say on things and hopefully score some goals,” he added.

“Not only that, but I feel I can provide some guidance and advice to the younger members of the squad like Ben Doherty, Jamie Glackin and Stewart Nixon.

“It was frustrating to miss out on the Irish Cup especially with everything that went on and to be honest, it really hit me watching the lads against Ballymena United.

“I was devastated but I’ve been around football long enough to know that these things happen and it’s a case of sucking it up and moving on.”

The Stripes now turn their focus onto this month’s Europa League preliminary round tie on August 20 and Allen hopes Coleraine can replicate the good results from Irish League clubs last year.

“We are now fully preparing for a big game later this month,” he concluded.

“The results from Irish League clubs last year was extremely good and with ties being one leg, then you have a good chance of going through.

“There is a lot of competition for places across the squad and especially in attacking areas which is what you want.

“One of the key things is that we have plenty of variety in the striking department as Skinner and Emmett McGuckin can hold the ball up, James McLaughlin and I are penalty box strikers and Stewart and Jamie Glackin can stretch defences.

“I’m sure it will be a tough decision for whoever gets the nod but I’m simply concentrating on playing as many games as I can and finding the back of the net.”