Double blows now in the past for St Johnstone's Jack

May 9 2008

RELIEVED Andy Jackson yesterday admitted he got the fright of his young life when he endured back-to-back health scares, writes Gordon Bannerman.

The fast-maturing striker, who toasted 19 goals in his rookie season, was rushed to casualty at Stirling and just days after being released he was back in an ambulance en route to the same hospital ward.

Jackson admitted: “It was a real fright. My leg went numb playing against Stirling and all sorts of thoughts were going through my head.

“I’d been fine before the game and came on as a sub at half-time. It started feeling a bit weird and then went numb. It was like running on one leg.

“Obviously I was a bit shaken up. It was agony by the time they put me in the ambulance. For the next three days I was on a morphine drip.

“I had plenty of visitors. I didn’t realise so many people cared. I had all sorts of tests and scans before they tracked the problem down to my bowels. There was a knock-on effect and the blood flow to my legs had slowed right down.

“Just when I thought I was in the clear and back home, I suffered horrible chest pains and I was back in an ambulance to Stirling Royal.

“I was thinking I’m just 20 and I’m suffering a heart attack. I was thinking my career was over.

“But luckily it turned out that was caused by lying down for so long after the initial problem.”

This week Jackson, who is still on antibiotics, was back at McDiarmid to get a check over from the club doctor and like several colleagues he has a fitness programme mapped out for the summer.

Jackson also left with his haul of supporters’ accolades after a fine campaign.

He said: “It was great to get good luck messages and the awards were a real boost. I’d like to thank the fans for their support. It might have ended in disappointment for the club but it was a great season for me.

“The supporters probably wanted a big name to replace Jason Scotland but they got right behind me when I broke into the team. Derek McInnes also showed confidence in me when he took over. He trusted me and that was a massive boost. It’s just a pity I didn’t make the 20 mark. But that has to be the aim for next season.

“Collin Samuel has joined us and there could be another striker to come so there will be real competition.”

Jackson revealed he’d love to join the candidates for spot-kicks, with First Division rivals for the top scorer accolade boosting their tally from 12 yards.

“I have never experienced pressure like the shoot-out against Rangers so that has prepared me for anything. That was real pressure. But scoring has boosted my confidence after missing in a shoot-out at Partick.

“There are a few candidates and Paul Sheerin is first choice. But maybe it should be down to who gets their hands on the ball first!”

SAINTS remain optimistic that midfielder Jody Morris will commit himself to the club within the next seven days. Meanwhile, Allan McManus and Daniel McBreen are wanted by several clubs, including Morton, Livi and Partick Thistle.