Sunderland loanees are doing pretty well this season, with Nectar Triantis proving to be a real success story during his spell with Hibernian.
The Sunderland players still at the Stadium of Light this season are excelling, of course, so most of the attention is on them as they hunt for promotion.
But, of all the players Sunderland have out on loan, Nectar Triantis is making a great case for himself to be integrated into Regis Le Bris’ squad.
The Australian has really turned a corner this season, and the Sunderland manager must surely be looking at his progress with a smile on his face.
Nectar Triantis is loving life at Hibernian, but he wants to play for Sunderland
Now, Nectar Triantis has been speaking to the club’s official website about his loan spell with Hibernian, how he has changed as a player, and what he wants to achieve in the future.
He said: “I am loving every moment with Hibs, I think everyone can see that from my performances. My whole game is developing to a new level. I feel like a different player to last season.
“The biggest challenge has been overcoming adversity. I have had a lot of growing up to do but I am constantly working hard to continue this momentum.”
Triantis has moved into midfield this season, and has even been scoring goals fairly regularly, which is a big difference to the more defensive role he played in the past.
He added: “I have always been comfortable playing in midfield, but the switch has been really interesting. I can express myself with that freedom. When you are enjoying your football, you will play anywhere. The move has been everything I could have hoped for as I continue my development.”
But, as much as he is enjoying life in Scotland, Triantis insists he wants his future to lie with Sunderland, adding: “Sunderland are always checking in and giving me feedback. They have been massively supportive with everything. I still talk to a lot of the lads. Especially Chris Rigg and Leo Hjelde.
“I’m not surprised to see them doing so well. When you have a group of players constantly gathering experience, eventually the young stars will shine. I have a lot of love for Sunderland. This is my club. The aim is to be a consistent feature in red and white one day, but for now, I’m focusing on my time with Hibs.”
There will be no place for Triantis if Sunderland get promoted
The problem for Triantis is that the Blacks are performing so well without him, there is a chance there won’t be a place in the Sunderland squad for him come the end of the season.
That is especially true if Le Bris can get Sunderland promoted this season. In that eventuality, the loan move of Enzo Le Fee would become a permanent switch, leaving very little room for another midfielder.
Le Bris already has a midfield dilemma, in trying to fit Le Fee, Rigg, Jobe Bellingham, and his captain, Dan Neil, into the middle of the park. There is no way Triantis would match any one of them, and he’s almost definitely not Premier League quality, either.
If Triantis is to have any chance of a Sunderland future, he will actually need them to miss out on promotion, which would no doubt lead to the sale of any of the aforementioned assets, too.