I played on with a fractured skull
CZECH U21 v SCOTLAND U21
TOM McINTYRE has revealed the extraordinary lengths he went to in a bid to make an impact at Reading – by playing on with a fractured skull.
The Scotland Under-21 defender is in Uherske Hradiste for this afternoon’s crucial Euro 2021 qualifier against the Czech Republic.
Scot Gemmill’s side aim to maintain their unbeaten start to the group after wins against Croatia and San Marino and a home draw against Lithuania.
Highly-rated stopper McIntyre made his debut with the English Championship club last season against Rotherham United and got an early head knock.
But the 20-year-old was so eager to impress he shrugged it off and played on. It was only later he discovered the full extent of his horror injury.
McIntyre said: “It was last December when I made my debut for the first team and 15 minutes in I got a nasty head knock.
“I went down and felt my head. It felt sunken which was odd.
“The physios came on and all of a sudden it swelled up quite big.
“They went through all the questions and I managed to pass that. It was my debut so there was nothing that was going to stop me from playing.
“But I was in a bit of trouble and it was really quite painful. I had a scan and was told I’d fractured my skull at the front of my head.
“I was out for about three months. I had a big operation and had to get my head cut open from one side of my ear to the other – my face was pulled forwards with the skin.
“They put two metal plates just above my eyebrow. I had 45 staples has played his part in Reading’s games this season. He said: “The first header after I came back was a bit unnerving.
“It did knock me back a bit. I felt I played well in the game and I might have had a run in the team after that.
“It was tough to take because for years I’d wanted to play in the Reading first team so to finally do it then be out was one step forward and a few back. But I’ve done all right this season.”
Meanwhile, Gemmill is convinced his side can produce another top away performance.
A win would take the Scots to the top of the section and he said: “This group are good at getting their game head on and getting their preparation correct. You can pick up on it, you can smell it. It’s really positive I am working with these kind of players.
“This group have been well educated, not just with us but with their clubs as well. There was a period with the national youth teams where you’d have to chase them and educate them to do things. That’s not the case now.
“The players are proactive and will do anything to help increase their performance. The mentality of the group is they want to get better. You can tell it means a great deal to them to play for Scotland.
“Everything we do is to make sure the experience with the player lives up to its billing. Whether you are a 16-yearold dreaming of playing for Scotland or whether you are a 25-year-old playing for the full squad, it has to live up to its billing. It has to feel special.”
TOM McINTYRE ON RETURN FROM HIS HORROR INJURY