Come what May I knew I’d be ok
STEVIE MAY has admitted his relief that Ryan Jack’s controversial challenge two weeks ago didn’t bring back the nightmare of facing a long spell out injured.
The Aberdeen striker was sidelined for 15 months with a severe knee injury while at Preston and was worried the tackle from Rangers midfielder Jack would lead to a similar setback.
Dons boss Derek McInnes called the challenge “nasty” and Jack was red carded while May’s shin injury meant he missed the win at Dundee eight days ago.
But the striker is fit to face Hibs today. May said: “It’s been dealt with now. It was a sore one but thankfully it was nothing too serious.
“As injuries go I’ve not had a lot, although I was out for a long time due to a bad tackle in the past.
“You’re always worried when you get injured but it was a relief more than anything that it wasn’t as bad as we thought. Thankfully I’ve been able to come back quickly with no issues.”
May has hit just four goals in 17 appearances since his £400,000 summer move from Preston and was happy when McInnes, once his manager at St Johnstone, decided against moving to Rangers as their new gaffer.
He said: “Everyone at the club was relieved the manager stayed. But if it had happened we would have dealt with it.
“It’s football – people do well and they attract attention. But when the news came everyone was delighted and I’m sure the fans were as happy as we were. I was delighted but I wouldn’t have held it against him if he had moved on.
“I’ve settled in here regardless and I’m enjoying my football. But I’m pleased the manager is staying for a while longer.”
McInnes insists he relishes the greater challenge this season for the runners-up place with Rangers rejuvenated and Hibs showing they’re also up for the battle.
The Pittodrie boss said: “We secured second spot way before the end of the season in previous years. We were as clear as 17 points when Hearts came back up. We didn’t just get second, we properly secured it without any real fuss.
“Last year it was by nine points against a newly-promoted Rangers. The year before that was 16 and this year we have a newly-promoted Hibs to go alongside Hearts and Rangers.
“It shows it’s a stronger league when so many teams are up there. That brings its own challenges.
“There are a lot of good teams in the league at the minute and you don’t get away with below-par performances too much and expect to win games, especially against teams in the top half.
“There’s a natural bounce at Easter Road at the minute on the back of promotion and winning the Scottish Cup the year before.
“They have good pace in the wide areas, they’re a good counter attacking team and they have got goals in them.”