It was a long road back from injury for Brad Lyons – and there were plenty of bumps along the way.
December 11 was his last match before making his long-awaited return on March 11, a full three months on the sidelines.
And with a new manager in the door during that time, it made it even more frustrating for the 24-year-old.
The Kilmarnock midfielder tweaked a nerve in his hamstring, which was almost recovered before he pulled his hamstring muscle.
And then when he was getting set to get back on the pitch he was struck down with Covid – if he didn’t have bad luck, he’d have no luck at all.
But the road to recovery hit the finishing line as he came on as a substitute in the thrilling 3-1 win against bitter rivals Ayr United on Friday night.
And now he’s back to help Killie get over the line in their Scottish Championship title hunt.
“The last game I played was at Raith, it has been frustrating obviously, when a new manager comes in you want to try and impress him,” Lyons said.
“But I just got the head down and got on with my rehab, but it was just unfortunate that I tweaked it again.
“Thankfully I am back in action now, it felt good to get that matchday buzz again.
“Just being there with the boys on the pitch was great, and it was made even better with the three points.”
He added: “It was a hamstring injury, I had a bit of nerve damage at the start and I thought I was fine soon after.
“But then I injured it again, I pulled a muscle so my return was a long time coming.
“It did feel really strong, but then I got the wee niggle and it set me back again.
“I have to say the physios, the club and the manager was brilliant with me all through my recovery.
“They supported me all the way through, and it was just typical I picked up Covid as I was meant to play again.
“It’s unfortunate, but these things happen in football, I am just glad to be back.
“Football is full of ups and downs, but having those downs makes the ups feel even better, that’s what made Friday night even more special for me.
“It makes it even better that I got out there and got to be a part of it.
“Hopefully I am back fully now and I can help the team in the final part of the season.”
The Northern Irishman admits seeing 3000 fans roaring on his side was special, and that they could be the key heading into the final part of the season.
He said: “The fans are incredible, I think Laff [Kyle Lafferty] said it last week, they really do play a massive part in our season.
“Sometimes the players can get tired towards the end of a game, but the fans give us an extra 10 or 20 per cent.
“They have been unbelievable, especially away from home, the backing they’ve given us is brilliant, so hopefully we can give them something back at the end of the season.
“This is such a massive club, we are trying to get back to where we belong and that’s the Premiership.
“The whole way the club’s run, it is a Premiership club, so hopefully we can put that right on the pitch and get the fans and team back to where we belong.”
Lyons says it has been a dream working with Derek McInnes, but admits he was gutted to see Tommy Wright leave after bringing him to the club.
He said: “It has been brilliant working with the manager.
“Obviously Tommy [Wright] brought me in, and it’s unfortunate what happened, but since the gaffer has come in it has been brilliant.
“We are really tight-knit, a real team, even in training we show intent that we want to win every game and I feel that comes across at the weekends.
“Even outside of training and football the boys are really close, we are all together which is important.”
Next up for Killie is a clash against Queen of the South, a team who are trying to avoid relegation.
Lyons quipped: “I don’t want to bring out all of these cliches, but we only have to look after the next game.
“It is cliche, but it’s so true, all of our focus is on Saturday against Queen of the South, they are fighting to stay up.
“Every game is going to be tough, but we back ourselves to be good enough to go out every week and win.
“They will be a different challenge due to the new manager, and I am really good friends with Innes Cameron who is on loan at them.
“He says the same, the new management has given them a feel-good factor, they are fighting for results and they will be a tough challenge.”
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