Roddy (almost) ready after longest wait for Inverness Caledonian Thistle midfielder
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Roddy MacGregor says it took the positivity of friends and family to help him through challenging months of repeated injury lay-offs.
The talented young Caley Thistle midfielder has managed just one start in four appearances this season either side of an ankle operation in August.
Last season brought similar injury woes with just 12 starts, as MacGregor missed all of September, then five months of the campaign from mid-October.
Even then, his comeback in March was curtailed and it wasn’t until the Scottish Cup final defeat to Celtic in early June that he could make a brief cameo appearance.
The mental toll of repeatedly working back to fitness is one that MacGregor, at 22, has experienced more than his fair share of.
“It is really difficult. Dealing with big injuries is probably the hardest thing for a footballer, but it helps when you have good people in your corner,” the former Scotland under-21 midfielder said.
“I’ve had family and friends to help lift me and keep me going, reminding me there is light at the end of the tunnel and, with hard work, I can get back to playing and enjoying football. That was a big factor for me in the recovery process.”
Ironically, MacGregor now has a minor foot injury to contend with ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Arbroath, but it will only slightly delay his return.
“Being back now, I’m just looking to get back in the team,” he said. “When the gaffer first came in I was injured so I’ve had less time to work with him.
“But he’s good to work under and I’m just looking forward to getting an opportunity to show what I can do. I just need to keep myself as ready as I can and take the chance when it comes. It is a big phase of the season for us that we are coming into.
“There will be high pressure games. We’re down near the bottom of the table and it is vital we start picking up some wins
“I think the mood is just determination. There’s a good togetherness, so we just need to work extra hard. I’m sure the results will turn our way.”
