Kyle McClean programme article
Posted : 1st December 2021
Eight months on from a devastating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, everyone associated with Linfield will have been absolutely delighted to see Blues midfielder Kyle McClean return to the pitch three weeks ago for Linfield Swifts against Portadown Reserves at New Midgley Park.
The midfielder was understandably delighted to get back onto the pitch as he played 45 minutes, as he explains in detail to ‘Look at Linfield’.
“It felt great to be back playing. I’ve been asking a lot over the last month or so when I would be able to play again, so when I found out I was playing I was delighted. Thankfully, the game went well. I have had plenty of training sessions under my belt the past few months, so I felt quite sharp. I’d say there were a few extra nerves before the match purely due to the length of time I’d been out. I actually had to look around the house for my shin pads because I forgot where they were. The last game I’d played was back in March, so it felt strange being sat in a changing room and getting a kit on again. The game went well and we won 2-1. I knew beforehand I was only playing 45 minutes so I tried to enjoy it as much as possible. I would have loved to play longer but hopefully in the coming weeks I can build on it and play longer.”
One thing that’s often forgotten is that physical injuries can also be tough on players mentally. The former Nottingham Forest and St. Johnstone midfielder explains how he managed to get through it with the help of many good people behind the scenes.
“I can’t speak highly enough of everyone at the club during the time I’ve been out injured. The lads and the staff have all been great. Terry Hayes, Paul Butler and Patrick Noble have all been brilliant. Obviously, I’ve worked closely with them before and after my operation. Even in the off-season I was in every day with them getting treatment which I can’t thank them enough for. I’m sure I’ve done their heads in at times with my questions but they’ve managed me well and kept the reigns on me to protect me.
“Any injury is tough for players mentally. I’ve had good days where I try to be really positive and other days where you have had setbacks or you’ve felt sore and on those days it can be hard to remain positive. I knew when it happened it was a bad, long-term injury so before I got confirmation I had prepared myself for it. One of the hardest things was when everyone is training as normal and you’re on another pitch learning to run or change direction properly again. A few weeks after my injury, Jake Corbett found out he’d suffered the same injury. Jake had his operation three weeks after mine, so we worked closely together over the rehab process which is good because it helps you push on on those days when you’re not feeling great, because ultimately you’re both working towards the same goal. Hopefully, in the near future Jake will be back out playing games and it would be great to be on the pitch playing together again after going through the hard work together in the gym.”
23 year-old McClean was in the running for ‘Player of the Year’ until he got injured in March. He’d had a magnificent season, but once it was cut short he turned supporter. Now he understands why supporters joke that supporting Linfield can be stressful!
“Effectively I’ve been watching games as a fan for the past eight months and that’s been difficult as you know you can’t impact the game in any way. I missed two or three matches last season after my operation but as soon as I was back on my feet and able to drive again I was back going to the games. The night we won the league at Coleraine I was probably more nervous watching that I would have been playing in it. The Irish Cup final was the same but credit to the lads, they performed really well to win the double. I’m obviously busting to make myself available for first team involvement now.”
Until Kyle recently reached the fitness levels to come into contention for first team selection - coming on as a substitute for the final ten minutes of Saturday’s 3-0 win against Glenavon - he had been supporting the team and he is in full belief that a couple of disappointing results recently were just a bump along the road.
“There is disappointment and frustration after any game you don’t win, especially when you’re at Linfield. The games will come thick and fast coming up to Christmas and beyond, so we don’t have time to feel sorry for ourselves. I believe with the quality of the squad there’s no doubt we will get back to where we want to be.
Looking ahead to tonight's game against Carrick, the former Northern Ireland U21 international anticipates a tough game and having continued his comeback in recent Swifts games against Lisburn Distillery and Cliftonville Olympic, he was sympathetic of the plight now facing his team mate Billy Chadwick.
"Everyone is so disappointed for Billy at having suffered the same sort of injury that befell Jake Corbett and I. Players want to play and I know how Billy will be feeling just now. We all want to wish him well on the road to recovery and hope that he can get back to playing football again as soon as possible."
A warm welcome back to Kyle and let’s hope it won’t be long until the Newtownabbey man graces the pitch at Windsor Park once again.