Former Saints skipper backs striker

Feb 20 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

FORMER St Johnstone skipper and coach Jim Weir is backing injured striker Andy Jackson to bounce back from long-term injury, reports Gordon Bannerman

The one-time Perth defender was sidelined for nine months when he ruptured his Achilles in an SPL game at McDiarmid Park.

Jackson will see a specialist next week to decide the best route forward after learning he has suffered a tear in the Achilles.

The youngster’s season may be over but Weir is confident the striker is made of the right stuff.

He said: “Andy has youth on his side. I ruptured mine when I was 29.

“He will come back from this and physio Nick Summersgill will guide him every step of the way.

“The club were always brilliant to me and Andy will get the best of treatment.

“That’s not always the case in football.

“The rehab will be a drawn-out process and it’s obviously a massive setback for Andy after such a successful season last time round.

“But now he has to stick with the programme that will be prepared for him in the next few weeks and look after himself away from the ground.

“I know Andy well and still remember the impact he made in his first reserve game as a 16-year-old.

“He scored the winner against East Fife.

“He is the right type and he has something special about him.

“Andy has to get his head round it. He can’t do anything about it and he has to deal with it.

“He has to look ahead now and if I can help him in any way I’ll do it.

“Andy is a manager’s dream.

“He is so conscientious and there’s a bit of steel about him.

“He will come back from this and he has the character to pull through the disappointment.”

Manager Derek McInnes said: “It is a disaster for Jacko and for the club.

“But he has just been unfortunate and these things are part and parcel of being a footballer.

“I am really gutted for Jacko.

“The tear is low on the Achilles and that is significant. It’s worse than we first thought.

“But while his season is over he has the character and determination to come back stronger than ever.”