I FEARED MY CAREER WAS OVER
KILMARNOCK new boy Chris Burke has lifted the lid on the viral hell which he feared would end his career.
The winger has endured a nightmare eight months after being struck down by illness.
Burke’s latest bout of sickness completely floored him and left the 33-year-old wondering if he would kick a football again.
But he hopes the bad times are now behind him after making his competitive Killie debut in Tuesday’s 4-2 Betfred Cup win over Clyde.
Burke said: “There were times when the illness got me down so much. All I know is playing football.
“Then all of a sudden something like that hits you and you are just floored. You try to come back but you can’t do anything and it floors you again.
“There were times when I thought, ‘Am I ever going to get better?’ It was akin to man flu but 20 times worse.
“I have hopefully come through the other side and that is the end of it. What I will say is that I will appreciate football in my life so much more after what I have been through.”
The virus ruined Burke’s spell at Ross County last term after returning to Scotland following seven years in English football.
And the former Rangers star said: “It just seems to be that I contract viruses whenever I come back to Scotland.
“I can’t say a bad word about Ross County as I would like to thank them for everything they did for me.
“It was bad timing. Fortunately, I have come into Kilmarnock and managed to do all of the pre-season training but I am still looking to gain full fitness.
“I am not 100 per cent fit yet but I am getting there and I am hoping there will be no setbacks for myself.
I hope I can just start enjoying my football again and playing for Kilmarnock in an exciting team.”