Hamilton's Steve Lawson says a start against Inverness was a relief after spending most of this season without a club.
The midfielder - who filled in at right-back - last started for Livingston last March against Motherwell, but spent half of 2021 unemployed after leaving Livi.
Following contracts pulled away from him, Lawson eventually landed at Accies last month and made his first since the move against Caley Thistle. Josh Mullin's Accies goal was cancelled out by a Sam Pearson strike in the Championsip match.
The battler is pleased to put the hardship of time without a club and the ability to look forward with his fiancée, Coco, and new-born son Ayden as they arrive in Scotland.
Lawson explained: “It took me four months to get fully fit and be able to run again. I started to train in September and I was match fit in October.
“I actually had a team who were interested in signing me and offered me a contract but then at the last minute they changed their mind.
“It was tough when that happened because I wanted to get back playing again. I actually prayed a lot and I had the support of my family.
“At the time I was happy off the park as my fiancee was pregnant but I knew I had to find a club and get back playing again.
“I wanted to support my family and when I didn’t have a club I was living with my stepmum and I love her but it is tough sometimes.
“My son Ayden was born on December 31 at 11pm and he is doing very well. They are coming to Scotland this weekend so I am looking forward to having them here with me again.”
While training in France with former club Saint-Colomban in France was beneficial, nothing beats the ability of playing on a matchday for Lawson.
He added: "My last start was against Motherwell for Livingston in March 2021, so it was a long time ago now. I am slowly getting my fitness back and I’m feeling good. I broke my foot in April and that was tough.
“For the few months before joining Hamilton I wasn’t sitting in the house doing nothing, I was training with Saint-Colomban in France.
“They were an old club of mine and they let me come in and train with them. It’s a relief to have my future sorted because when you are six months without a contract, even if you train with a team it isn’t the same intensity as playing.
“I have to thank Hamilton for giving me the chance to join them and I am grateful every day for getting to train and play football."
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