by Nick Lough
Barry Bannan has always had the ability to ‘wow' supporters at the best of times, but even he could never have anticipated the sheer outpouring of love he is receiving at Sheffield Wednesday.
The flying Scotsman has been dubbed a ‘magician' by the Hillsborough fans with his flicks and tricks dazzling supporters young and old since his arrival from Crystal Palace at the end of August.
And the 26-year-old midfielder admits he couldn't be happier with the reception he has received from the Owls' supporters, including some unusual backing in the days leading up to the Championship clash against Birmingham City, arch-rivals of one of his former clubs, Aston Villa.
“I've never felt such instant love at a club in my career,” Bannan told The FLP. “The support I've received from the Sheffield Wednesday fans has been unbelievable.
“I've not been here a long time but they've been brilliant with me ever since I came through the door and it's given me a confidence boost going into every single game.
“One of the supporters even set up a ‘Barry Bannan week' in the days leading up to our game at Birmingham City, as they knew I'd be getting a bit of abuse from their fans. It was unbelievable really and extremely humbling to see them honour me like that.”
After seven years in the Premier League, leaving the top flight of English football could be considered a setback. Not for the determined Bannan, however, who insists he is just happy to be back out on the pitch and excelling alongside his talented team-mates.
“Things happen for a reason,” he said. “Sometimes things don't work out in football – it's all about ups and downs.
“I wasn't too fussed about dropping down to the Championship to play because, at the end of the day, I love football. If it wasn't happening for me in the Premier League, it was an easy decision to move down.
“I've been happy with how I've performed and, from my experiences, I can tell that most of the players in this team are Premier League quality.”
Capped 20 times on the international stage by Scotland, Bannan's last outing for the Tartan Army came back in March 2015 when he featured in a 6-1 European Qualifying victory over Gibraltar.
It's coming up to a year since the playmaker's omission, but he revealed a return to the side may be coming sooner rather than later given his fine form for the Owls.
He said: “I last spoke to the manager (Gordon Strachan) about a year ago when we played the Republic of Ireland away. I travelled with the squad but didn't even make the bench.
“He said to me that I needed to be playing more regularly at club level and score more goals.
“I've been playing every week and I've been in contact over the past few weeks with the SFA (Scottish Football Association). We've sent messages back and forth and so my next cap may not be far away if I keep doing what I'm doing.”
With Wednesday up to fifth place in the Championship prior to yesterday's trip to Preston, Bannan insists he and his team-mates remain confident of winning promotion to the Premier League – but believes keeping hold of highly-rated boss Carlos Carvalhal (pictured left) will be key.
“There's a lot of good teams fighting for what we want, but with the group of players, the manager and the backing of the owner, we remain confident,” he added.
“Carlos is a very good manager with great potential, but I'd like to see him have a very big future at Sheffield Wednesday.
“We're all pushing in the right direction and hopefully us as players can help to make sure that he doesn't have to go anywhere else to reach the top!”
*This article was originally published in The FLP on 21 February 2016.
