Ally was Manager Allan Johnston’s latest signing and joins from Airdrie. The 24-year-old forward started his career as a youth with Stirling Albion before joining Hearts. He has also had spells in Ireland before he returned to Scotland joining Partick Thistle and then his home club, The Diamonds. Although born in Scotland, Ally has been capped for Northern Ireland at Under 21 level.
In his spare time Ally runs his own football academy for all age groups that sees him coach kids as young as five to those at professional level. He had just finished taking a session when we caught up with him and started by asking him about his decision to join Queens “I’m just delighted to get it done, after speaking to the Gaffer he was really keen on getting me in and has really made me feel welcome and has shown that I am wanted so it was a no-brainer. I’m happy to get it done and I’m buzzing to get started. It’s fresh start for myself so hopefully I can kick on and do well for the club”.
“As a footballer you want the Manager to be keen on you as a player and to give you a fair opportunity to go and express yourself. The way the Gaffer here wants to play football suits me and I am glad that he has brought me in. I want to take the opportunity to show the fans and everyone around the club what I can do”.
“I’ve experienced the Championship before and it was a league that I enjoyed playing in, it’s a good standard and all the teams can beat each other. It’s all about who wants it more on the day so if we all pull in the same direction, we can get the results that we want. It is going to be an exciting league for the neutral but for us as a squad we aim to do the best we can”.
For those who are not familiar with Ally as a player he describes himself as a striker who wants to score goals but added “I can play on the wing as well but I am a striker, I’m quick and someone who likes to go at defenders. I enjoy being one on one, creating chances and scoring goals. If I get the ball I’m forward thinking and take a risk. I saw the way the team played last year and I want to do the best in a Queens shirt and excite the fans with my performances”.
“The plan is to finish as high as possible and get the balance right so that the club can keep development and we can achieve the same end goal of finishing as high up the league as possible. That is my personal plan and the team collectively”.
In 2018 Ally’s career took him over the Irish sea where he had a loan spell with Sligo before signing for Derry City. It was there that the striker enjoyed European football “The quality in Ireland is very good if you do well you get to play in Europe and that is something I got to experience and enjoy myself”.
was during that time that he attracted the attention of the Irish international set up and was capped at Under 21 level “I was playing in Northern Ireland and in Europe for Derry and scored in the Europa League. Although I was born in Scotland my Mum’s Father is Irish so I qualified for a cap and the manager called and said he wanted to call me up. wasn’t happening for me in Scotland so it was an easy decision and something I am very proud of doing. I have a lot of family in Ireland so it’s something close to home for me personally. was a big honour to represent them and who knows if I have a good season with Queens, I can maybe push myself towards a crack at getting a full cap”.
“I do feel I have something to prove, it’s been frustrating at times so I just want a fresh start so I can go and prove myself. I’m pleased to get the opportunity to do it, Queens are a new place for me to play so it is up to me to prove any doubters wrong. When I am given a chance, I will show what I can do and that is my aim. I am confident in my own ability so if I get the game time it is up to myself to go and make it happen and have a good season for myself and the club”.