Saints defender Grivosti praying for seamless return in March
THE road back from a serious knee injury for Tom Grivosti became that bit smoother when he signed a new deal with St Patrick’s Athletic not long after their FAI Cup final success.
For Grivosti, the final was a bittersweet day but at least the central defender has Europe to look forward too as a Saint in 2024.
‘As soon as I got injured, Jon (Daly) spoke to me. I kind of knew early on that I was going to be signing a new contract which I’m thankful for, to Jon and the club,’ said Grivosti who damaged his knee at the end of May during a 2-1 win over Dundalk.
‘I had my operation in the middle of June, ACL reconstruction. It’s been challenging but I’m nearly back now,’ he said.
‘I have an appointment with my surgeon on March 5 to get the allclear to get back playing. I probably need a few friendlies or U19 games to get up to match fitness.’
The 24-year-old Liverpudlian described watching games as ‘horrendous’.
‘When the games mean more, like the European games, and when you get to the Cup semi-final, and then the final, it’s hard to watch because you’re gutted you’re not involved.
‘You win the Cup and you feel part of it but it’s just not the same as if you’d played. I was made up for everyone involved in Pat’s but on a personal level I was a little bit disappointed.’
Grivosti reached out to Keith Buckley after the Bohs skipper shipped a major knee injury just before the Cup final.
‘I bought a machine for my quads and it really helped. I kind of knew what he (Buckley) was going to go through so I passed it on to him. ‘People might think it was good he was missing the final but you want to beat the best Bohs team you can. He was in the same boat so we both knew how we were feeling that day.’
Meanwhile, Shamrock Rovers have agreed terms with Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic for the extension of a loan agreement for striker Johnny Kenny.