Just one day into life with Gold Coast United and striker Dylan Macallister has already been touted as the ‘saviour’ of coach Miron Bleiberg’s new-look frontline.
Macallister, 29, trained with his new club for the first time on Tuesday morning after concluding a four-month stint with Icelandic top-flight team Breioablik.
He joins United with a solid body of form behind him, having scored three goals in six games for Breioablik – including their first ever goal in European competition, in a UEFA Champions League qualifier against Norwegian champions Rosenborg.
But after one training session on the tourist strip, he is fully aware of the expectation that rests on his shoulders after the departure of sharpshooter Shane Smeltz and part-time Socceroo Bruce Djite in the off-season.
His new team-mates are aware of it too, with Kiwi shotstopper Glen Moss cooking up his brand new nickname – and they are counting on him living up to it.
With Joel Porter’s pre-season hampered by a hamstring injury and promising American striker Alex Smith still unproven at A-League level, the fortunes of United could well depend on how many goals the 193cm target man can score – and create – this season.
And that’s just the way he likes it.
“That’s fine. I welcome (the pressure),” Macallister said.
“If that’s the job I’m asked to do, I’m ready. I’m here to do a job and I’m happy to be here.”
“I’m a striker, a target man and I’m here to score goals. I think I can give the team something that they’ve been missing – a presence up front.”
Last season was arguably Macallister’s best since returning to the A-League with the Central Coast Mariners in 2008.
In 22 games for Wellington, he knocked in seven goals and together with Englishman Chris Greenacre and Barbados international Paul Ifill was instrumental in the New Zealand club’s attack.
Fortunately for Macallister, there will be no shortage of service for him this year with Gold Coast blooding a number of pacy, skillful youngsters who have graduated from their two-time National Youth League championship team.
The likes of mercurial talent Tahj Minniecon, classy midfielder James Brown and lightning-quick youngsters Chris Harold and Ben Halloran are likely to be the ones supplying him with crosses this year.
“That’s really important in those wide positions, to get in behind the defence, get to the byline and get some good crosses into the box,” he said.
“It’s important to have a lot of young, quick guys around me who can do all the running. I’ll take a lot of the load off their shoulders and we’ll work together.”
“The standard of the young boys seems to be pretty good. They all know what’s at stake and they’re all here playing for positions, whether they’re 17 or 33.”
Macallister will get a taste of action in Tuesday night’s friendly against Gold Coast Premier League champions Broadbeach but is likely to get a full run in Sunday’s match against Melbourne Victory at Southport.
