Scunthorpe tried and failed to take Newcastle striker Ivan Toney back to the side in the summer, as he decided to go a different route, joining Wigan Athletic on a season-long loan.
The 22-year-old told the Telegraph that whilst he was frustrated with his lack of playing time with the Latics, he is now happy that he had the chance to re-join Scunthorpe United, and is looking forward to becoming an important player for Graham Alexander’s side.
“Obviously it was frustrating not getting in the side. Will Grigg was scoring goals for fun there, and Nick Powell has played well all season, so you can’t really complain when the team is doing well and scoring goals,” Toney told the Telegraph.
“As soon as I had the opportunity to come back here, get some playing time and score some goals it was something I was looking forward too and I am excited to be back here.”
After he was recalled by Newcastle in January, Graham Alexander moved quickly to bring Toney back to Glanford Park, after he impressed during his loan spell with the club last season.
In his 15 appearances for the Iron last season, Toney became a pivotal part of the side which came so close to gaining promotion to the Championship, as he scored six goals.
Bringing Toney back to Glanford Park was a no-brainer for Alexander, and he had found his new number nine – courtesy of an unexpected phone call!
“I was sitting at home and got a phone call from his agent saying Newcastle had recalled him and asked ‘do you want him in tomorrow, do you want to sign him?’ I said ‘Yes Please’ and that was it!” Alexander said earlier this month after the signing of Toney.
“It was a really quick call out of the blue and I was on the phone to Ivan within the next 15 minutes.”
“I am here to play a part in going one better than last year, whether that be scoring goals, getting assists – anyway I can help the team,” Toney said.
“The main thing is that we keep winning games, and picking up three points. If that means me scoring then that’s perfect, but I just want to play a part in any way I can.
“Am I confident that I can consistently score goals? Of course. Scoring goals is a big part of my game and hopefully I’ll do that often.”
What motivates Toney most of all now that he is back in Scunthorpe United colours, is that he does not plan to go through the same disappointing experience of missing out of promotion at one of the last hurdles once again.
“We don’t want to experience the disappointment we went through last year again, that was a tough way to end the season.
“The main aim is promotion. That is the most important thing for me whilst I’m here.”
Toney made his first start for the Iron since returning on loan this past Saturday against Fleetwood, in which he scored the winning goal, as he took ownership of a free-kick in the 78th minute and found the bottom corner in splendid fashion.
“It’s always a confidence booster for a forward when you score important goals, and he has done that in his first start for us,” McDonald told the Telegraph.
“I think he could have had another with his header that won us the penalty. Ivan has knack of being in the right place at the right time and we’re confident that he’ll score a lot of goals from now until the end of the season.
“But his game is more than just about goals, you saw today (against Fleetwood), his link-up play was fantastic, he is strong in the air and he can create for other players.
“He is a great asset to have and we’re delighted to have him.”