Early injury a low blow but Hurst now eyes first-team spot
St Johnstone forward Greg Hurst feels ready to stake a claim for a place in Tommy Wright’s starting XI.
The 21-year-old has spent time out on loan at East Fife, Berwick Rangers and Forfar Athletic but is now determined to impress in Perth.
Hurst is preparing to return to training after picking up a painful injury against Aberdeen in Chris Millar’s Testimonial match.
He was hit in the groin region by Dons defender Scott McKenna but returned to the action to score Saints’ second in a 2-2 draw.
The pain increased, however, with Hurst then forced from the field of play before going for a scan which showed nothing serious.
The determined striker is not going to let the minor injury set-back halt his progress.
“It was agony and I don’t think I’ve ever felt pain like it,” Hurst explained to the Perthshire Advertiser.
“It was a goalmouth scramble, I jumped up and I got kicked from underneath. “I came back on but once I hit the shot for the goal, I started to feel really ill. “When I hit it, there was something not right, so I needed to go down. “As much as I wanted to play on, I felt like if I did that it would’ve been worse. The doctor said if I played on I could have made it worse. “After the
But Hurst is raring to go again game I was gutted that I didn’t stay on and see out the game. You work all pre-season to play in these games.
“Two games in and getting injured is not ideal but I need to focus on the fact that I did score.
“I’m at the stage now where the only focus I can have is to push for a starting place.
“That could be from coming off the bench and making an impression, then gradually building my way into the team.
“I feel I’m in a place now where I’m ready to go and start pushing and showing the gaffer what I can do.
“I’m looking forward to this season massively.”
Netting the goal against the Dons has given Hurst an early confidence boost.
“I must have seen it go in but couldn’t remember it. My head was a bit all over the place,” he said.
“I watched it back and was quite happy with the finish. It was nice to score, especially on a day for Chris Millar’s testimonial.
“Goals are something forward players look for the most. You can play well without scoring but you’re always looking at stats.
“To score, especially against a
Hurst in action against Dons team like Aberdeen, is massive for the confidence-boost it gives you.
“They are one of the better sides in the Premiership.”
Pre-season training had been going smoothly for Hurst before picking up the knock against Aberdeen.
He’s hoping injury problems are behind him and said:“Last year, I got concussed on the last day in pre-season so was out for two weeks with that.
“At the end of last season, my loan with Berwick got cut short because I pulled my groin. That was about three months out.
“Mentally, it’s not a great place to be when you’re injured and know you can’t really do anything.
“I’ve had a few injuries now and that’s something which I think has held me back a little bit.
“All the boys came back fit and we’ve been put through our paces, especially in Austria.
“Pre-season is hard work and, while it’s tough sometimes, you just need to get through it.
“If you miss pre-season you’re not going to have the best season in terms of fitness. That is when injuries can start occurring.
“It was a great time in Austria and all of the boys loved it.” Tommy Wright