Anxious wait for ‘jinxed’ striker

Feb 17 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

ANDY Jackson faces an anxious 24-hour wait for a scan result on his troubled Achilles.

The striker collapsed during the weekend clash with Livingston and fearful fans looked on as he was ferried to hospital by ambulance.

Downcast Jackson hobbled into McDiarmid on crutches yesterday, praying his season wasn’t a write-off.

There was a sense of deja vu about proceedings for the Republic of Ireland U21 international.

Late last season he was rushed to hospital after collapsing with mystery stomach pains in a game at Stirling.

Jackson said: “I’ve never been stabbed but that’s what it felt like. I had no idea what had happened. There was no one near me and I just remember falling to the ground in agony.”

A build-up of fluid ruled out a precise diagnosis and now Jackson is pinning his hopes on the result of today’s MRI scan in Dunfermline. But even the best outcome will mean a three-week absence.

“I think someone has got hold of a voodoo doll of me and they’re sticking in the pins.

“It’s so disappointing because I’d just got back into the team. On Friday I was telling the manager I was feeling good again. Now this happens.

“It’s still really painful when I try to move it so there’s definitely something wrong.

“But I’m told it’s not ruptured. That would have put me out for a year.

“The best news would be a strain. So fingers crossed it’s just a three-week job.

“I’m still hoping to pay a part before the end of the season.

“Until the last 10 months I’ve never been injured. But it’s been one thing after another. Hopefully I’m getting the injuries out of the way early in my career.”

Manager Derek McInnes said: “Everyone in the squad feels for Jacko after what he’s been through over the last year. Obviously he’s going to miss some football but if it proves to be a tear he has to keep focused, work on his rehab and who knows, he might score a vital goal for us before the end of the season. The thought of that will push him on.”

TICKETS are on sale for the St Johnstone Sportsman’s Dinner being held at the Lovat on March 13. The speakers are George McNeil and John Htet-Khin. Tickets are £45 and are available from 01738 459090.