Staying positive will be key to Wighton’s return to first-team action

Craig Wighton admits he must stay positive as he continues his rehabilitation after his cruciate ligament operation.

“I can’t really go about with my head down,” he said.

“I get lots of support from my girlfriend, my mum and dad. They were there the night of the operation and all the way through.

“Everyone has been brilliant. Anything I have needed, they are all running about after me.

“For the first couple of weeks, I maybe milked it a bit but everyone has been really good to me.”

Wighton – who made his debut against Cowdenbeath in October 2013, just 70 days past his 16th birthday, and became the club’s youngestever goalscorer when he netted against Raith Rovers five weeks later – admitted that once he is fit, he is also looking to become a better player – on the golf course.

He added: “My grandad got me a couple of golf lessons for my birthday. I had the first one and then did my knee so I haven’t been back for the second one.

“It will probably be a wee while until I can do that. I am not very good so that’s why I needed the lessons. It is something I would like to get into but I will look to get back on to the park first.”