Irish star will be in good Nick

Jun 23 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

IT’S shaping-up as a confidence-boosting week for troubled Saints striker Andy Jackson.

The Perth attacker is recuperating from a ruptured Achilles which rounded off a nightmare year that included several spells in hospital.

But he’s now ready to step-up his recuperation programme.

And Republic of Ireland U21 cap Jackson yesterday pledged to dedicate his first ever SPL strike to physio Nick Summersgill, who has helped him navigate a tortuous comeback trail.

Upbeat Jackson believes he will only be a week behind schedule when he teams-up with a Perth squad returning from their summer break for pre-season boot camp and a fleeting trip to Northern Ireland.

“I’ve been working with the physio pretty much every day, apart from a week’s holiday in Turkey,” he said.

“I knew that was what I had to do to give myself a chance of making an impact in the SPL.”

Jackson has been brought crashing back to earth after the highs of a 2007/08 debut season, when he bagged 19 goals.

He admitted the championship champagne tasted flat, despite the best efforts of Perth colleagues to ensure he shared the glory of promotion.

“I spent months wearing a cast and sitting around the house watching telly. It was hard to get motivated at that stage. But now there is light at the end of the tunnel and the lure of the SPL to spur me on every day.

“Everyone had warned me that they didn’t want to dampen my spirits after the injury, but it is regarded as one of the worst to come back from.

“I only started five league games last season. After ending up in hospital after taking ill at Stirling the previous season, I suffered bone bruising. Round about the Rangers cup tie the gaffer spoke to me and said he thought I was finally looking back to my old self. Then the Achilles went against Livingston on St Valentine’s Day.

“I knew I was in trouble when I collapsed in agony with no none near me. Those are the bad ones. And that was another trip to hospital in an ambulance.”

Jackson had struck a pre-season bet with McInnes but he said: “We trimmed the target to nine goals but he’s let me off because of the injury.”

The striker has shed weight already, through a combination of cycling, jugging and gym work.

He said: “I should be back kicking a ball this week and that will be a great boost to my confidence. I feel sharper now and it will feel like real progress.

“We are four months down the line now. Atholl Henderson, our community coach, had a similar injury and it took him much longer. So I know it could have been worse.

“But the prospect of playing the SPL for the first time is a huge motivation for me. When I was younger that was always the aim.

“I’m convinced I’ll be in good shape for the new season and won’t be far behind the rest of the boys when we start pre-season.

“I’ve been eating all the right stuff. I was a couch potato for months but I have a special programme and diet prepared by the manager. I’ve never eaten so much fruit and veg in my life.

“I feel good and the gaffer has warned us all we’ll have to be stronger and fitter for the SPL.

“Nick has been absolutely brilliant with me. The physio has lifted my spirits when I felt down in the dumps. He has ferried my to the hospital.

“And I’ve promised to dedicate my first SPL goal to him when I get back playing. I’ll make a bee-line for him in the dug-out.”

Boss McInnes, who had his own injury woes as a player, said: “Jacko has had a horrible time of it. He has seen the extremes of football. He made a huge impact in his first season but couldn’t kick on because of injuries.

“But he has assets which will make him a real handful for SPL defenders. Jacko has worked hard all summer and he deserves to get the rewards.”