BY KYLE GUNN

St Mirren winger Kyle McAllister has revealed why it would mean so much for him to play his part in preserving the Paisley club’s Premiership status 

The 20-year-old came through the well-renowned St Mirren youth system before moving to English Championship side Derby County in January 2017. 

And McAllister, now back with the Buddies on-loan until the end of the season, feels indebted to the club who gave him the chance to make his name.

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He said: “It would be massive for me to help this team avoid relegation. When I left the club we were struggling a lot more than what we are now. I would love to keep them up because they did a brilliant job last season to get up so it would be a real shame for them to go back down. But we don’t look at it that way, we just view it as going for three points every game. It would be a massive achievement for me were if I helped keep them up.

“Since I have left they have always tried to get me on loan. I was obviously injured so it just wasn’t possible. When I first heard that they had come in for me, it was the first thing on my mind that I wanted to come back to help them. St Mirren played a massive part in me becoming a professional player so I want to help them to stay up.”

The Scotland under-21 international is yet to make his top team debut for the Rams after an injury-ravaged two years at Pride Park.

As he looks to impress Frank Lampard and company they have their own playoff concerns to worry about.

McAllister reveals that he’s not been in constant contact with his parent club and says they’ll chat in the summer.

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He continued: “I’ve felt the expectation. Knowing I am just back from injury I feel as though I have to prove myself. Two years out was long for me. I feel I even have to prove myself to Derby because they rarely saw me play. I need to prove to myself that I am still good enough to play after the two years out and I don’t need to take time to get fitness. To be honest, I think I have done well enough for the expectations people have of me but I need to do better for myself to keep the team up.

“They like leaving you to get on with your season and as soon as it ends they will talk to me. I have been speaking to a few people back and forth but I don’t really talk to the coaches, they are getting on with their play-offs and leaving me to it. I am sure I’ll have a chat with them as soon as my season has ended.”

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