St Johnstone: Graham Gartland wants to stay

Apr 16 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

IRISH defender Graham Gartland is back in the ball game after an alarming health scare.

He figured on the bench in the 3-1 win over Aberdeen last weekend after a seven-game absence.

Yesterday, the former Drogheda skipper, who revealed he is keen to extend his stay at McDiarmid Park, admitted he had been floored by a mystery viral infection.

He said: “I’ve been asthmatic since I was 16 but at the start of the season I underwent an SPL health check and it was decided I didn’t need the medicine any more so they took it off me.

“But it returned with a vengeance when I was sick and it floored me.

“I saw three doctors and a chest specialist to try and get to the bottom of it. It was a bit worrying.

“The docs were doing their best and trying to rule out other causes. It was an anxious time.

“I couldn’t do any sort of exercise for three weeks. Even attempting it made me worse.

It was a bad time all-round.

“Being asthmatic never really bothered me but it hits hard when you’re sick. It came back with a vengeance.

“I was getting worse and worse but now we’ve got it all sorted out and I’m on the way back.

“I’m getting there slowly but surely. It was good being involved at Pittodrie after sitting around doing nothing for a few weeks.

“The problem was that at this time of year if you’re resting-up the body thinks the season is over and done with.

“But I’ve had a good week’s training and I’ve put in some extra work.”

Gartland added: “I’ve enjoyed my time here. I knew Tony Docherty from my younger days and Derek McInnes has given me my chance to experience the SPL so it would be good to stay.

“I hope to finish the season on a high and get ready to go again after the summer.”