Sunderland man Nectarios Triantis joined Hibernian on loan last month, reuniting with former Central Coast Mariners boss Nick Montgomery.
Sunderland signed Triantis, 20, from Central Coast Mariners last summer.
The Australian left his home country to move to Wearside, though he’d make just two Championship appearances before leaving to join Scottish Premiership side Hibernian on loan late last month.
Since, the centre-back has made two league appearances for the club, going up against Scottish giants Celtic in a home game last night.
But the game ended 2-1 in favour of Celtic, with Triantis struggling to cope with the current league leaders.
Nectarios Triantis struggling to adjust to the ‘madness of Scottish football’
Triantis played the full 90 as one of two centre-backs; as per Sofascore, he made 35 out of 42 passes (2nd most on his team), winning 3 out of 8 duels with 4 clearances and 1 tackle to his name.
But Edinburgh Evening News gave him a 5/10 rating on the night, writing about his performance:
“Conceded penalty with moment of rashness. Can’t say he’s taken quickly to the madness of Scottish football.”
Since winning the A-League Championship with Mariners last year and being named in the league’s Team of the Season, Triantis has made just four league appearances, seemingly struggling to adjust to the British game.
Time will tell with Sunderland youngster Triantis
Sunderland have made a rather welcome habit of signing players from all across the globe.
They scoured the South American market for Jewison Bennette and Australia for Triantis, and they’ve poached players from all across Europe too.
Some have hit the ground running whilst others have taken time to settle in, but are starting to look like real prospects.
Then others like Triantis and perhaps Bennette too have taken a little while longer.
It’s always going to be difficult travelling half way across the world to take up a new life and in a completely new and cold climate; not to forget doing so at such a young age.
It’s not been easy for Triantis but he’s clearly someone who Sunderland think will prevail in the long run, and he has another three years on his deal to prove his worth.
There’s no rush, though he’ll certainly want to show Hibs fans and indeed Michael Beale what he’s capable of.
His side return to action vs Inverness in the Scottish Cup on Saturday, whilst Sunderland welcome Plymouth Argyle to the Stadium of Light.