Hamilton Accies defender James Gibson ecstatic at being given the all-clear

Dec 24 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON defender James Gibson this week admitted he couldn’t ask for a better Christmas present after being told he’s ahead of schedule in his recovery from a cruciate ligament injury.

The 20-year-old left-back was on Tuesday given the good news by a specialist and can’t wait to get back into training.

And although that isn’t going to happen anytime soon, having damaged cruciate ligaments in pre-season and undergone an operation in October, Gibby is determined to make himself available before the end of this season.

He said: “This is the perfect Christmas present.

“I’m ahead of schedule in terms of rehabilitation and I would put that down to the programme I’ve been given by the physio team at Hamilton, but I also did a lot of work before I went in for my op in October and that has made my leg stronger.

“I had started running on the trampoline before Tuesday as well.

“I’ve always had it in my head that I would be back soon.

“Avril Downs, our sports therapist, and the gaffer Billy Reid more or less wrote me off for the whole season, but I’ve always had it in my head that I would be back before the end, so I’m delighted.

“I said at the time that I would be back in six months and, while that was a bit premature, I’ve been determined to get back as soon as I can.”

Gibson was told by Reid to seize his chance to make the left-back slot his own when Brian Easton moved to English Premier League newcomers Burnley in the summer.

But the injury in pre-season meant that Hamilton brought in Richard Hastings from Inverness, and Gibson admits it has been difficult to watch from the sidelines.

He said: “Having to watch the boys play this season has made me realise how much I miss not playing and not being involved.

“ Even in training when I’m going up to the gym and the lads are heading off on the bus, it has been hard. I can’t wait to get back into it.

“When I saw Brian Easton moving to Burnley, I thought that was a brilliant opportunity for me to get into the team.

“I had waited a couple of years to get playing in my position. I had been playing before that, but mostly in midfield.

“When Eastie moved to Burnley, the gaffer spoke to me and told me it was up to me to take my chance.

“I then got injured and I was gutted, but I was determined to get back as quickly as I could so I just got on with it and, hopefully, I can keep going on the right track.”

Gibson is remaining cautious, however, and doesn’t want to set a target for his comeback.