Murray goes gardening to regain fitness

Jun 19 2009 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

INJURED Saints midfielder Hugh Murray last night revealed he’s only fit for cutting the grass after recovering from surgery.

Murray is up and about after going under the surgeon’s knife last week in a bid to repair a slight tear in his groin.

But the delicate procedure means he has to take things easy for the time being.

And that means the only thing that he can possibly work on is tending his lawn.

Murray, 30, who played through the pain barrier to help St Mirren stay in the SPL, said: “The injury certainly was painful from time to time.

“But I got through it as best as I possibly could.

“I now really hope that I’ll be back very soon.

“But at the moment I think the only thing I’m really able to do is cut the grass, so at least I’m keeping busy!

“The operation was quite similar to the one that Scott Cuthbert went through a few weeks ago.

“He was told by the doctors he’d be back running in two to three weeks’ time.

“So hopefully that sort of timescale is going to apply to me.

“I’m confident I can take part in pre-season.”

Murray still hasn’t been able to fully enjoy the summer break as wife Janine is a school teacher.

She is unable to take time off until the end of the month.

The duo had the same problem last year as they only had a limited amount of time that they could spend together before Shuggie returned to pre-season training.

In fact, the happy couple only had a seven day honeymoon after tying the knot at Bothwell Castle last year.

And Murray believes that it could be a case of a quick getaway to somewhere in the sun as soon as his wife finishes work.

He revealed: “It’s been a long season and the players need to rest up.

“But every year is the same with Janine and myself because she works as a school teacher.

“Our holidays just don’t exactly coincide.

“When she’s off, I’m always playing and when I’m off in the summer, she’s still working at the school.

“Although it’s not ideal it’s just one of these things that can’t be helped.”

He added: “We’ve not really been able to have a holiday together for about three or four years.

“But we will both be really looking forward to being able to get away somewhere.”