Cameron McGeehan is ‘gutted’ for injured team-mate Kenny Dougall but knows the Australian’s absence gives him an opportunity to establish himself in the Barnsley starting line-up.
Dougall is expected to be out until the New Year after damaging ankle ligaments in last week’s loss at Shrewsbury Town, with McGeehan replacing him off the bench then from the start in the 1-0 win over Bristol Rovers on Saturday.It was a third start in four matches for the 23-year-old, who had spent most of the first two months of the season on the bench, only standing in when Dougall was on international duty.
McGeehan told the Chronicle: “I was gutted for Kenny, I get on really well with him. He’s done very well since he came in, fitting in with the lads and playing very well. But I have kept myself ready, knocking at the door, and that’s how the chance comes sometimes so hopefully I can play some games now. I have seen the lads doing really well and I knew I had to be patient. Now I am in the team, I want a sustained run and to help the boys push up the league.”
McGeehan scored his first goal of the season against former club Luton Town earlier in October and hopes there are more to come. He said: “I seem to pick up positions in the box quite well and it’s how I have made my name. I am playing a bit deeper now but I still want to contribute with goals.”
McGeehan, who was loaned out to Scunthorpe in the second half of Barnsley’s relegation season from the Championship earlier this year, is playing alongside Alex Mowatt in central midfield who was also loaned during that campaign. He said: “Al is a wonderful player who is clever on the ball and really good to play with. He’s been similar to me because he had to go out on loan last season to get games because it wasn’t happening for him here.
“It didn’t really happen for him at Oxford like it didn’t happen for me at Scunthorpe, in terms of regular football. But we still learned a lot and we know what the league is about and we’re both young, hungry players who can get goals.When a new manager comes in, it’s a clean slate or everyone. That has told for both of us but more so for Al who has played every game.”
McGeehan is enjoying playing under Daniel Stendel and the German coaching staff. He said: “The structure of the week is a bit diffident, we are in different days, the training methods are different. But it’s new and fresh for all of us, we are learning all the time and we will get better throughout the season, we are all enjoying it and buying into it. “The manager and his staff are learning all about the league as well.”
