HUDDERSFIELD Town's Murray Wallace is ready to meet his new Championship challenge head on.
And the highly-rated Scottish teenager, in the thick of pre-season training with the rest of the Town squad, reckons there are three good reasons to be optimistic ahead of his second campaign at senior level.
The centre-back, signed for £300,000 on transfer deadline day last January, says seeing out last season with Falkirk, linking up with Town as they prepared for the League I play-offs, and representing Scotland at Under 20 level has provided vital experience.
“I’ve had chance to meet most of the lads, get used to the town and find somewhere to live, and now I can’t wait to get stuck into training,” said the Lindley-based 19-year-old, who has a two-year contract.
Former Rangers junior Wallace caught the eye with a string of bright performances as Falkirk finished third in the Scottish First Division, reached the League Cup semi-finals and won the Communities Cup (for clubs outside the Premier League) last season.
That was reflected in his call-up by Scotland Under 20 coach Ricky Sbragia for the ADO Den Haag Tournament in May.
“On the back of a solid season with Falkirk, it was great to play for Scotland and pit myself against some top players,” said Wallace.
“We played teams from Den Haag, Manchester City and (Brazilian club) Cruzeiro, and I was out in Holland when I heard we had won promotion to the Championship.
“Being able to link up with Town after Falkirk’s games had finished was a real bonus, and the Den Haag tournament gave me the chance to take on some very gifted players. It’s all about learning and I’m looking forward to continuing that process.”
