Allen is mobbed by his team-mates after his first goal against Kent

Guernsey's Ross Allen has praised Tony Vance's island set-up in the wake of his two successive hat-tricks.

The 22-year-old Rangers striker says Vance's 30-strong training squad has given everyone fresh impetus.

"The big problem with Guernsey is it's local football and it gets a bit stale," he told BBC Guernsey.

"By making the island side a bit more serious, like Fabio Capello has done since becoming England manager, changes everyone's attitude."

He added: "For me personally it makes me play better and want to do better for Guernsey."

Allen has been in fine form with Rangers this season, and for Guernsey, scoring hat-tricks against Kent in the National League Systems Cup and Alderney in the past two weeks.

He puts it down to doing more work on his strength.

"This is the first season when I've really been working on my fitness and strength because I felt that was one of my biggest weaknesses throughout my career," said Allen, who had trials at Newcastle United as a 16-year-old and played at a high standard while at college in the USA.

"I've been getting stronger and filling out physically and it's definitely helped my game."

And he says he still harbours an ambition to make it as a professional.

"If you don't have that desire you may as well give up now," he continued.

"It's what I've always wanted to do, it's the dream and I couldn't see myself doing anything else."

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