Shuggie to go under the knife

Jun 10 2009 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

TOUGH Buddie Hugh Murray last night revealed he had to play through the pain barrier to help save his beloved St Mirren from the SPL drop.

Murray was carrying a groin injury for the last two months of the season – but refused to undergo surgery because he was desperate to help Gus MacPherson’s side avoid relegation.

The 30-year-old midfielder was in so much discomfort that he couldn’t even take part in target practice during training sessions.

And he had to take painkillers before each match in the closing stages of the SPL campaign in order to ease his suffering.

With the club’s position in the top flight now secure for another season, arrangements have been made for Shuggie to go under the surgeon’s knife.

Murray will have his operation tomorrow and will then face a race against time to be fit for the start of pre-season training next month.

But he told Express Sports he was not prepared to sit on the sidelines as his Buddies battled to beat the drop.

Murray said: “I had been struggling with this injury for probably the last two months of the season and things got to the stage where I was taking painkillers before matches just to get through them.

“Although I’m not known for scoring goals, taking part in target practice was a no-no because I couldn’t really put my foot through the ball.

“But we were in a situation where we were seriously close to being relegated and I just wanted to try to contribute as much as I could.

“The injury was painful from time to time but I got through.

“It would have been ideal if I had been able to have an operation a few weeks ago but, given our situation at the time, I thought it was best to leave it until the season ended.”

Murray expects tomorrow’s operation – which will involve repairing a slight tear in his groin – to go smoothly and is quietly confident he can recover quickly and be ready to impress boss MacPherson in time for the start of the 2009/10 campaign.

He said: “Basically, I’ve got a tear on one side of my groin but the surgery should repair it and I’m confident I can take part in pre-season.

“That’s the time of year when you get your base fitness sorted and, if you miss part of pre-season, it then leaves you playing catch-up.

“But I am hoping to be back in time to join in with the rest of the lads.”