Relief all round as Macleod returns
WHEN it comes to sporting trivia, Ally McCoist can give the best of them a run for their money. Medical matters, he concedes, will never be his specialist subject. Yet when Rangers’ prodigiously talented midfielder Lewis Macleod failed to recover from a seemingly routine virus at the turn of the year, it didn’t take a Harley Street specialist to deduce all was not well. Macleod, who had missed the end of the previous campaign with medial-ligament damage, had felt groggy after a game against Arbroath on January 25. With no improvement in his condition as the season drew to a close, concern had long since turned to worry. ‘At least with the injury you knew what it was and the rehabilitation required,’ said McCoist. ‘It was the uncertainty with the virus. ‘You had to take medical advice with something as important as that. The doctors were 100-per-cent non-committal until they saw all the results.’ When they eventually came, it emerged that Macleod, now 20, had suffered an allergic reaction to the virus resulting in a tightening of the muscles around his heart. If that bulletin necessitated a sharp intake of breath, at least the long-term outlook brought a degree of comfort. A sustained period of convalescence was required to ensure a full recovery. Yet, for all he is now close to a first-team return, McCoist previously admitted to fears that he might never have the luxury of selecting the youngster again. ‘The fans were really pleased and excited with Lewis when he first came through,’ said the manager. ‘The (knee) injury put him out for a considerable period and then the viral thing. ‘We knew it wouldn’t be an overnight cure and the doctor was spot on with his assessment — as was the specialist in London. ‘Lewis was monitored all the time and then he went for the final tests and it was clear. ‘It’s a bit early to see how up to speed he is now. He’s naturally fit and there is a thin line — we need to look after him but, at the same time, we don’t want to mollycoddle him. ‘The most important thing is he has been given the all-clear to take part in training and play games again. ‘He looks fine but I expect him to look even better again three, four or five months down the line.’ Although McCoist promoted a host of kids from within the ranks as the club braced itself for life in the lower leagues two years ago, it was evident Macleod was a cut above his peers. ‘Lewis probably grabbed the imagination of everyone because he looked comfortable straight away,’ admitted McCoist. ‘He was nothing like the finished article when he got his injury and the viral problem, so he still has a lot of developing as a player. But it’s brilliant to have him back. ‘He is one of those players who will do something in a game or in a training session and the boys will look at each other and say: “He’s done something special there”. ‘Lewis has a very old head on young shoulders. The only fear we had (during his time out) was him doing himself another injury tripping over his bottom lip! ‘He was gutted because the boys were going out training. ‘But he was fantastic and would come in and work away whether it was on the bike or weights.’ Macleod is likely to remain wrapped in cotton wool when Rangers conclude their trip to the Highlands tomorrow with a game against Brora.