Former player feels Irish League club 'done well' to keep 'electrifying' star amid transfer interest

McAllister came through the youth ranks at Stangmore Park before earning a move to the Toffees and returned ahead of last season.

The 23-year-old scored seven goals in 27 Premiership appearances last term and also netted twice during Dungannon’s run to a second straight Irish Cup final.

McAllister has started the current campaign in superb form, scoring in three of the Swifts’ five league matches to date – and will hope to continue that run against Linfield on Saturday.

There was speculation around McAllister’s future throughout the recent transfer window with manager Rodney McAree admitting he was nervous about potentially losing the attacker as Irish League rivals circled.

However, McAllister remained at the Swifts and will have a key role to play as McAree’s men look to record a third consecutive top-half finish.

"He's flying,” said McCabe. “I watched him a few times even last year, he picked up a couple of injuries, but he's electrifying.

"I remember he came back from England and scored a great goal in Europe (against Vaduz), you could see the quality he had then.

"Dungannon Swifts are a great club...they’ll support you, give you time, and really provide the facility to express yourself.

"McAllister is a classy operator, he wouldn't have got across the water if he wasn't, but he's come back, hit the ground running, and he's the one that Linfield will have to keep an eye on.

"There were a lot of rumours (about McAllister’s future), and Rod will probably curse me for bringing that up again, but there were a lot of rumours running about.

"But once you're comfortable and happy, it's hard to beat.

"People always think the grass is greener, or maybe the money is better elsewhere, but Rod has done well to hold onto him.

"The club as a whole, the committee, and the financial backing that's been given to Rod has probably enabled him to hold onto some of the better players.”

McAree has managed to keep a large majority of the Swifts squad which has achieved significant success together - and they’re on track for yet another impressive season, winning four of their first five league matches.

"Rod has added to the quality he already had," added McCabe. “(Adam) Glenny's a super player, (Steven) Scott as well, great wee players, but it's not as if they're not having big days...that's always good.

"When you're fighting at the top end of the table, and you're in Irish Cup finals two years in a row, it's very hard to pull away from them massive days.

"It's a different scenario once you're maybe not involved in big days, semi-finals, and Irish Cup finals, and fighting in the top-half of the table.

"Rod has done a fantastic job to get a team that's competing, and once they're competing at the top, it's easier to hold onto your quality players.”