Stu cuts it with fans after escaping surgeon’s knife
ANOMINATION for the McCrea Financial Services Partick Thistle player of the year award has given Stuart Bannigan a timely boost as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury.
It is the second piece of good news that Bannigan has had recently, as his morale was lifted last week after he learned he will not require surgery, potentially speeding up his return to action.
The midfielder is delighted to receive recognition for his performances this season, in what he believes has been something of a breakthrough year for him.
“I’d have liked to have done it on a more consistent basis but I feel as if I was playing well for large parts of the season,” he said.
“I was coming right into form just as I got injured. I felt as though I was playing well after Christmas, so it was a great season for me up until the point where I got the injury. I’m just disappointed I can’t help the lads over the finishing line.
“These things happen, though, and I’m delighted to get the nomination. It shows that people think I was playing well and making a contribution, and I’m grateful for that.
“I’ve been trying to put my stamp on the game for a long time and people are starting to take notice now. I’m a wee bit older now and my game has sharpened up a wee bit.
“It’s great for me and it’s great for the club to see a boy coming through the ranks and getting that recognition.
“It’s been a bit of a breakthrough season for me and I’m delighted with how things have gone. Apart from the injury of course!”
Thistle manager Alan Archibald revealed last week that he is still hoping to keep Bannigan at the club, and the player himself is still unsure what his future may hold.
“They are still a bit uncertain on the timeframe for when I can get back playing, so there is still a question mark over things just now,” he said.
“It really depends on the next couple of weeks and seeing how I progress.
“I’m really grateful to the manager for taking me aside and having a wee word with me and letting me know that the door is always open. Now I’ll have to wait and see how quickly I can recover.
“I did a wee straight-line jog today, and that is the first time in seven or eight weeks that I’ve run, so that was a bit strange.
“The progress is quite slow and it’s going to take a wee while. I can’t do anything too strenuous for now.”
For now, Bannigan is struggling to content himself in his supporting role from the stands, finding it particularly hard to be unable to help his team-mates during this sticky spell they are going through.
HE HAS backed them to get the result they need to secure their Premiership status against Kilmarnock on Saturday.
“You’re always frustrated not to be playing, especially when you’ve been used to playing so regularly,” he said.
“The boys are going through a wee bit of a tough spot at the minute and it’s not quite clicking for us, but everything is still in our own hands.
“You always wonder if things would have been different if I could have been helping the boys? You’ve got to think like that as a player and think you could have made an impact.
“The boys that are out there are giving their all, but it’s just not clicking for them. It will all be made up for on Saturday though if we can get a result down at Rugby Park, and I’m sure the boys can do it.”