"It could have been better": Sheffield Wednesday’s Barry Bannan offers honest career assessment

The 30-year-old, who has battled through injury to be one of the Owls’ best performers in an up-and-down season, spoke honestly to the Daily Record about a journey that started in the Premier League with Aston Villa.

Only West Brom’s Matheus Pereira has created more chances in the Championship this season than Bannan.

“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved in my career but still think it could have been better,” he told the Daily Record.

“I’ve still not given up hope of playing in the Premier League again, which is the best in the world. Hopefully, I can do that before my time’s up and I’d like to win a few more Scotland caps as well.

“But I feel proud because I came from nothing. To get to where I am today is a big achievement.”

Bannan was singled out for praise by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola following their FA Cup clash and Bannan – who has repeatedly made clear his love for Wednesday – admits he wonders what might have happened elsewhere.

“Looking back, I could have done more,” he said, “The clubs I’ve moved to were massive but they’ve been fighting to stay in the Premier League.

“Good football, which I’m more attracted to, often goes out the window – it’s about survival.

“I’ve got no regrets but if I’d have found a club that maybe suited my style more, I’d have achieved more.

“It sounds selfish but maybe if a team was built around the way I play, it would have brought the best out in me.

“I had it in my first year at Sheffield Wednesday with our Portuguese manager, Carlos Carvalhal, who really took to me. That’s when I shone but it’s just about getting breaks in your career, and it’s also about timing.

“Look at Brentford now in the Championship. It would be perfect for me to play in a team like that.

“But that’s football. There’s plenty of players in the same boat as me.”