Grateful O'Donnell wants to make an impact

Jun 3 2009 Paisley Daily Express

ST MIRREN star Stephen O’Donnell reckons he owes the club a huge debt for handing him a new deal.

And, last night, the 25-year-old midfielder revealed he can’t wait for the 2009/10 campaign to start – so he can repay the club for showing faith in him.

Last season was a nightmare for O’Donnell as he spent most of it on the sidelines after suffering a torn knee ligament which required surgery.

He also had the added worry of knowing his Saints contract was due to expire this summer – not to mention having to cope with preparations for the arrival of his first baby, which is due next month.

But O’Donnell bravely battled back from his injury hell and returned to Gus MacPherson’s first team squad for the SPL run-in, making four appearances as a substitute last month.

Earlier this week, he agreed a new one-year deal with St Mirren and is now planning to make a big impact for the Buddies when the 2009/10 campaign gets under way.

O’Donnell told Express Sports: “I’m absolutely delighted to be staying at St Mirren.

“It’s a massive relief to get the new contract sorted out.

“It hasn’t been a good year for me because of my injury problems.

“But the manager and the club have shown faith in me, which is great.

“Now I want to repay the manager, the club and the fans by having a really big year for St Mirren.”

O’Donnell also revealed how he has no fears about his injury nightmare coming back to haunt him next season – because his midfield Buddie Hugh Murray has already put his reconstructed knee to the test.

The former Dundee United ace said: “I gave Shuggie Murray full permission to clatter into me when I came back for my first training session with the rest of the boys after being injured and he was only too happy to accept the invitation.

“He smashed into me but my knee held up well.

“It was good for me mentally to know my knee was fine.

“There were a few nerves when I made my first team comeback against Motherwell last month but, once that was out of the way, I was able to look forward to the future.

“I didn’t want the season to end because I had only just got back into the team.

“Now I can’t wait for pre-season training to get started.

“I’m focused on getting a good pre-season under my belt so that I’m raring to go when the new campaign gets under way.”