Ross Wallace
Ross Wallace is a Scottish former professional footballer who played as a winger. He played for Celtic, Sunderland, Preston North End, Burnley, Sheffield Wednesday, Fleetwood Town, and once played in a full international match for Scotland. After retiring from professional football, Wallace re–joined Burnley as an assistant coach of the youth team and is currently first-team coach at Fleetwood Town.
Club career
Celtic
Born in Dundee, Wallace started his career with Celtic and progressed through the club's youth system. He made his Celtic debut, coming on as a 68th-minute substitute, in a 4–2 win against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the third round of the Scottish League Cup on 27 October 2002. With one appearance made in the 2002–03 season, Wallace signed his first professional contract with the club on 23 June 2003 on a four-year deal.A pacy left winger, Wallace made his UEFA Champions League debut against FBK Kaunas in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League second round, coming on as an 80th-minute substitute, in a 1–0 win to advance to the next round. It was not until on 1 November 2003 when he made his first league appearance for Celtic, coming on as an 81st-minute substitute, in a 5–0 win against Kilmarnock. This was followed up by scoring his first goal for the club, in a 5–0 win over Dunfermline Athletic on 8 November 2003. Whilst clearly a skillful player, Wallace made only a few more first team appearances that season, as Alan Thompson remained the first-choice wide-left player at Celtic, but his contributions to the club saw them win the league after winning 1–0 against Kilmarnock on 18 April 2004. Following a 1–1 draw against Motherwell on 12 May 2004, he was attacked by a pitch-invasion Motherwell supporter, prompting a police investigation. Wallace picked up his first silverware with the club, coming on as a second-half substitute for Stephen Pearson in Celtic's 3–1 win over Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup. At the end of the 2003–04 season, he went on to make fourteen appearances and scoring once in all competitions.
In the 2004–05 season, Wallace began to receive more playing time for Celtic, playing in the midfield position, rotating in and out of the starting line–up. After being sidelined with a hamstring injury, he scored a hat-trick on his return, in an 8–1 rout of Falkirk in a Scottish League Cup tie on 21 September 2004. After the match, manager Martin O'Neill praised his performance. Alan Thompson also said that Wallace was likely to succeed him in the future at left midfield positioned. However, he made little impact in either his league or European appearances, leading to a loan enquiry from Inverness CT, whose bid was rejected. Manager O'Neill dismissed any interest in Wallace from other clubs, saying the player remained part of his plans. After the transfer window closed, he continued to have his playing time, coming on from the substitute bench for the rest of the 2004–05 season. With the club finishing second place in the league and only winning the Scottish Cup, Wallace went on to make twenty–one appearances, scoring three times in all competitions.
With the arrival of new manager Gordon Strachan at the start of the 2005–06 season, Wallace made his first appearance of the season, starting a match against Artmedia Bratislava in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round. He set up the second goal of the game for John Hartson, before being substituted in the 54th minute, in a 4–0 win that was not enough for Celtic to overcome a 5–0 deficit from the away leg. However, despite announcing his intention to fight for his first team place, he found himself on the sidelines for the first few months, coming on from the substitute bench. On 3 December 2005, Strachan began to play Wallace at left-back position in place of Mo Camara. He started his first match in this position, playing the full 90 minutes, in a 3–1 win against Aberdeen. However, this turned out to be a strange selection given Wallace's slight build and inexperience of playing in a defensive role. Strachan persisted with this team selection for several weeks to the bemusement of fans who could clearly see the player's lack of aptitude for playing in defence. This further highlighted his lack of positional awareness in playing in defence when he scored an own goal in the New Year's Day game against Hearts at Tynecastle, although the club still won 3–2 on 1 January 2006. Towards the end of the season, new signing Mark Wilson replaced him at left back even though it was not his natural position. But Wallace played in the Scottish League Cup Final at a left back position against Dunfermline Athletic, due to Wilson being cup-tied and Celtic won 3–0. He later made two appearances later in the 2005–06 season and despite being dropped from the first team, his contributions saw the club win the league. By the end of the 2005–06 season, Wallace went on to make fourteen appearances in all competitions.
Ahead of the 2006–07 season, Wallace went on trial at Championship side Birmingham City. It came after a poor display during Celtic's pre–season tour. Wallace made two more appearances for Celtic, starting the first two matches at the beginning of the 2006–07 season. However, he was clearly no longer part of the plans of the Celtic management and was expected to leave the club.
Sunderland
Wallace was sold to Sunderland on 31 August 2006 in a deal including teammate Stanislav Varga for a combined fee of up to £1,100,000. Upon joining the club, he said about his former teammate turned manager Roy Keane: "I've been on the wrong end of a Roy Keane rollicking once or twice and I still decided to come here. But to be fair, if he does say something, it's going to be good for you. He wants to help you. When he does do it, it's positive criticism. He demands the best because he was world class for a decade. Obviously, he demands the best from everyone here to take the club back up."Wallace made his Sunderland debut against Derby County on 9 September 2006 and scored the winner in a 2–1 win. This was followed up by setting up a goal for Liam Miller, who scored 14 yards past the goalkeeper, in a 3–0 win against Leeds United four days later on 13 September 2006. However in a match against Ipswich Town on 23 September 2006, he played a role that led Jason de Vos to score an own goal, but was sent–off in the 86th minute for a second bookable offence, in a 3–1 loss. After serving a one match suspension, Wallace returned to the first team, coming on as a 52nd-minute substitute, in a 4–1 loss against Preston North End on 14 October 2006. In a match against Hull City on 28 October 2006, he scored his second goal for the club, which turned out to be the winning goal, but was sent–off for a second bookable offence for taking off his shirt while celebrating. After serving a two match suspension, Wallace scored on his return, scoring the breakthrough goal in the 62nd minute, in a 1–1 draw against Southampton on 11 November 2006. Following this, he was involved in the first team, and the left-wing position had been highly contested between him and teammate Tobias Hysén. Due to injuries, his early form did tail towards the back end of the season. But Wallace was able to re-find his form as the season ended, rotating in playing either the left–back position and left–wing position and scored three more goals. Sunderland fans were more than pleased with the promising form the player showed throughout the 2006–07 campaign as the club won the Championship. At the end of the 2006–07 season, he went on to make thirty–three appearances, scoring six times in all competitions. Following this, Wallace was in talks with Sunderland over an improved contract.
Wallace started the 2007–08 season as Sunderland's first choice left-back despite several new defenders joining the club during pre-season. In the first game of the season against Tottenham Hotspur on 11 August 2007, he lined up on Sunderland's starting eleven to make his Premier League debut and successfully provided the 93rd minute assist that enabled Michael Chopra to score as the club went on to win the game 1–0. In a follow–up match into the second game away to Birmingham City, Wallace played an integral part in the decisive goal when he provided the free kick that eventually led to Stern John's late equaliser, resulting in a 2–2 draw. Wallace then scored his first Premier League goal, in a 2–1 win against Reading at the Stadium of Light on 15 September 2007. Three weeks later on 7 October 2007, he scored his second goal of the season, in a 3–2 loss against Arsenal, which was the first ever goal for Sunderland at their first ever game at the Emirates Stadium. Despite his involvement in the first team so far, manager Keane stated he would consider offers for Wallace, along with five other players, and was placed on a transfer list. However, it was reported on 18 January 2008 that Wallace had sustained an Anterior Cruciate Ligament knee injury and would therefore miss the rest of the 2007–08 football season. While on the sidelines, he was linked with MLS side Toronto, who wanted to sign him but talks never materialised. Shortly after, Wallace made a recovery from his injury in early–March and spent two months making progress on his recovery and featuring in the club's reserve matches. It was not until 11 May 2008 when he made his return on the final game of the season, starting the whole game, in a 1–0 loss against Arsenal. By the end of the 2007–08 season, Wallace had went on to make twenty–two appearances and scored once in all competitions.
Preston North End
Over the summer transfer, Wallace remained on the transfer list, leading to interest from Preston North End and Sheffield United. In the 2008 summer transfer window, it was reported that he rejected a move to Preston North End to stay at Sunderland to fight for his place in the first team. Following this, Wallace was taken off the transfer list and he later thanked manager Keane for giving him a second chance to play for the club ahead of the 2008–09 season. However on 31 July 2008, Wallace eventually signed a year-long loan at Preston with a view to a permanent deal at the end of the season.He made his debut for the club against Chesterfield in the first round of the League Cup, starting the whole game, and setting up a goal for Neil Mellor, in a 2–0 win to advance to the next round. A week later on 23 August 2008, Wallace made his league debut, coming on as a 55th-minute substitute for Barry Nicholson, in a 1–1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday. Having started on the substitute bench, he eventually regained his first team place, playing in the midfield position. Wallace then scored his first goal for Preston North End, in a 2–0 win over Watford on 28 October 2008. He later scored two more goals by the end of the year, coming against Bristol City and Barnsley, respectively. Wallace signed a permanent four-and-a-half-year contract with the club on 12 January 2009. A month later on 21 February 2009, he scored his first goal since joining Preston North End on a permanent basis, in a 3–1 loss against Southampton. Wallace soon became a fan favourite, due to the number of times he provided excellent crosses, mainly for Jon Parkin and went on to provide nineteen assists. By the end of the 2008–09 season, Wallace had went on to make thirty–nine appearances and scored five times in all competitions.
At the start of the 2009–10 season, Wallace continued to establish himself in the first team, where he began to play in a playmaker role. Wallace scored his first goal of the season, in a 1–1 draw against Ipswich Town on 29 August 2009. He later scored three more goals by the end of the year. Wallace then scored his fifth goal of the season, in a 4–2 loss against Bristol City on 16 January 2010. He later scored two more goals later in the 2009–10 season, coming against Nottingham Forest and Reading. Unlike last season, Wallace was not able to provide more assists, registering only seven. However, he received thirteen bookings, missing two games as a result. By the end of the 2009–10 season, Wallace went on to make forty–five appearances and scored seven times in all competitions.
Upon leaving the club, Wallace said he was disappointed about not getting the chance to say goodbye to his Preston teammates. However, Wallace was criticised in an interview with The Lancashire Telegraph when he expressed his lack of sympathy on Preston North End's struggles that eventually saw them relegated the following season. While playing for Sheffield Wednesday against his former club, Preston North End on 20 February 2016, Wallace was booed by the club's supporters whenever he touched the ball throughout the match, as Wednesday lost 1–0.