McLean:I almost gave up football following injury hell

Jan 14 2009 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

MOTHERWELL defender Brian McLean has admitted he thought about quitting football after suffering his second cruciate ligament injury in two years.

McLean was the victim of a horror tackle by Brazilian striker Diego Ruiz in a pre-season friendly against CFR Cluj in Austria back in July.

And when it became apparent 24 hours later that he had suffered another painful and long-term injury, he admitted to feeling like packing it in altogether.

He said: The following day in the hospital I definitely felt like quitting football altogether. I just felt it wasnt worth it.

To suffer the injury twice and have the prospect of going through X-rays and operations again was just soul-destroying, and that was aside from the actual pain.

He continued: Being in a foreign country made it more difficult.

Doctors were around me and I couldnt understand what they were saying.

The one positive thing was that we were in the middle of the Alps and the hospitals were set up for skiiing injuries like knee and ankle problems so I had the best service.

Despite the setback, the former Rangers player decided to stay on with the team as they continued their pre-season preparations.

And he feels that decision not to return to the UK immediately was a vital early step in his rehabilitation.

I made the decision to stay on with the team when I could have flown home early, he said.

That worked out well because I was rooming with Stephen Craigan and he was a massive help for me.

I got slaughtered by the players, despite the injury, and those days with the players made me focus on what lay ahead and what I had to do.

It made me determined to get back fitter than ever.

Thats exactly what I have done and Im raring to go now.