Former Linfield winger Callumn Morrison has opened up on the struggles of being away from family during a spell in the Irish League and revealed that was his main motivation to pursue a move back to Scotland.

Morrison was a high-profile arrival at the Blues last February having previously been named League One Player of the Year for his role in helping Falkirk seal promotion, scoring 23 goals in 32 league appearances.

However, the 26-year-old struggled to make an impact at Windsor Park, starting just six Premiership matches this term and departed earlier this month to join Dunfermline Athletic.

Morrison’s best form came in cup competitions, scoring four times in a Senior Shield win over H&W Welders before netting a brace as Linfield defeated third-tier Newry City in the BetMcLean Cup quarter-finals.

placeholder image — Former Linfield winger Callumn Morrison joined Dunfermline Athletic earlier this month. (Photo by Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press)

While Morrison relocated to Belfast, his wife Carla and children Harris and Lucia, who was born in September, remained in Scotland.

Morrison admits the situation had an impact on his performances and he’s now happy to be back in his homeland on a full-time basis.

"I’m looking forward to setting down again with my family and coming back and enjoying my football,” he told Dunfermline Press. "We had a baby back in September, so I’ve got two kids, and my missus was here because we couldn’t get the wee man into school over there.

"It was a bit of a toxic situation, to be honest. I just wanted to be back with my family, and to come back to a club the size of Dunfermline, I was looking forward to it and the challenge.

"My missus was more travelling over with the kids and it was hard for her. She was obviously a bit stressed and stuff, so I just thought if I can get back and get the right club, I’d come back in a minute.

"Thankfully, I did, and to come back to a club the size of Dunfermline, with a big fan base, I’m really happy to be here.

"As a fan, you can look at it and people don’t know what’s going on in the background, but it does obviously distract you a lot. Being home and happy, seeing your kids every day, is what you want.

"It’s different if you’re not seeing them for two or three weeks at a time, so it makes a massive difference to your football. If you’re happy off the pitch then things tend to happen on the pitch."

Morrison has already made his Dunfermline debut, coming off the bench in last weekend’s Scottish Cup victory over Hibernian, and could make his first league outing against Championship table-toppers St Johnstone on Saturday.

The former Hearts winger is now working under ex-Northern Ireland international Neil Lennon and admits that was another big reason for opting to join Dunfermline.

"He was a big factor in me coming here,” added Morrison. "Obviously, everybody knows who Neil Lennon is, and the experience he’s got in football.

"I spoke to him before I signed here and with what he was talking to me about it’s exciting times ahead at the club, so, hopefully I can be part of it and go and contribute as much as I can. I want to be happy again and enjoy my football, I think that’s the main thing."