Portsmouth man admits 'frustration' amid ongoing loan struggles - and vows to bounce back
The Northern Ireland Under-21 international scored his second goal for the Tykes on Tuesday night
A Pompey loanee has spoken of his ‘frustration’ after a disappointing start to life away from Fratton Park.
Makenzie Kirk linked up with Barnsley in July on a season-long arrangement to provide him with regular first-team football.
However, while the Tykes have found themselves embroiled in a League One relegation battle, the 22-year-old has struggled to force his way into the side of late.
Kirk came off the bench at half-time on Tuesday night at Luton to register a stunning consolation goal in a 2-1 defeat which marked a fifth consecutive loss for Daniel Stendel’s men.
It also signalled a first outing for the striker since September 12 - and a second goal in 10 appearances overall for the Irishman.
And after the Kenilworth Road game, Kirk, who signed for the Blues from St Johnstone in August 2025, had admitted his struggles.
‘These are moments you have to deal with in football’
He told Barnsley’s official website: ‘My job as a striker is to be alive and be sharp around the box and seeing it was a good counter-press from us on the edge of the box and it’s just instinctive from me to get on the end of it and put the ball into the back of the net.
‘It is frustrating (how things have been going for him), but these are moments you have to deal with in football. Some things are frustrating and it’s all about staying positive within the moment, getting behind the group.
‘Things in football can change really quickly, it’s something I want to do, playing consistently and scoring more goals.’
Unstoppable angled finish
Collecting the ball in the right hand channel of the box, he crashed an unstoppable right-foot shot from the angle into the roof of the net, demonstrating superb finishing power.
However, despite that lifeline, Barnsley couldn’t find an equaliser, with defeat leaving them 22nd in League One and an eighth loss in nine games in all competitions.
After scoring in a 3-1 victory at Leyton Orient in August, he was subsequently substituted at half-time in his next three appearances, before then being named on the bench.
Kirk then went away on international duty with Northern Ireland Under-21s, featuring three times, twice as captain, before returning to Oakwell.
Now he will be hoping his goal-scoring entrance at Luton on Tuesday night can open the first-team door once more for him at Barnsley.
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