Tony Gallacher insists he’s greater than able to be pitched in from the beginning in opposition to Celtic on Saturday.
The left-sided wing-back made his return to first crew soccer as a second-half sub in Wednesday evening’s 2-1 defeat to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
It was his aggressive return to motion having labored his manner again from a fractured leg sustained in April. After selecting up much-needed minutes – and with mortgage star Adam Montgomery unable to face his father or mother membership – Gallacher is raring to go.
“It’s a giant likelihood for me to begin,” stated Gallacher. “Adam has slotted properly into that place this season however he’s damaged his toe and he’s not allowed to play in opposition to his father or mother membership anyway.
“However soccer provides you alternatives and he’ll have to take a seat this one out so it’s as much as me to attempt to make a superb impression in a giant sport after which see how issues go nevertheless it’s good for everybody to have competitors.
“The primary sport I missed because of my harm was in opposition to Celtic – who I’ve by no means performed in opposition to – so having that as my first begin after it will present a little bit of symmetry.”
Gallacher revealed there have been no points together with his leg following the Rugby Park run-out. He stated: “It wasn’t the end result I wished, in fact, however on the similar time I’m glad to lastly be again as a result of it’s been an extended six months. I used to be a bit cautious concerning the astroturf however I really feel high-quality – there are not any points in any respect.
“The gaffer wished me to come back on and attempt to change the sport, in order that was a optimistic for me.
“He might simply as simply have stated he would save me for later however he didn’t so I’ll take confidence from that.
“From a psychological perspective, getting back from such a nasty harm it was vital to get the primary sort out out of the way in which however now I really feel as if I’m again to regular.”
Gallacher had firm on the McDiarmid Park medical desk and that helped hold spirits excessive. He defined: “It’s been robust as a result of it’s the primary main harm I’ve ever had and I used to be out for such a very long time.
“I’d hoped to be again for the beginning of the season however I needed to watch everybody else working as an alternative, which wasn’t perfect however that’s soccer. Accidents occur and I simply needed to be affected person and get on with it.
“There have been a number of different guys who have been additionally out on the similar time so I used to be round some good senior gamers.
“David Wotherspoon, who was additionally on the bench at Kilmarnock, was a giant assist – he stored me mentally robust, which was good as a result of it’s straightforward whenever you’re within the physio’s room every single day to go to these darkish locations however the guys stored my spirits excessive.
“We’ve been stage pegging on our comebacks, beginning working collectively and becoming a member of in with the others at coaching. Hopefully, he’ll be again in motion as quickly as doable.”
Gallacher concluded: “Earlier than my harm, I used to be bedding myself in with the crew, getting the run of video games I wanted and feeling good about myself. However you'll be able to’t predict accidents so I’ll simply begin on the backside once more and work my manner up.”