Dundee captain Simon Murray has vowed to come back even stronger and would love to extend his stay at the club. The striker, currently recovering from an ACL injury, is out of contract in the summer but is on track to be fit by the end of the season.
Rehab Progress
Murray, in an exclusive Record Sport 'In Conversation' interview, said: "I am doing well. This is my seventh week post-surgery. The painful part and the operation are out of the way, which is good. I am into the hard work now, building the muscle up and getting back out of the pitch and back running as soon as possible. I am in early stage rehab, getting it moving again and getting the strength back. I am in a good place."
The 34-year-old suffered the ACL injury at Pittodrie. He is hoping Dundee can continue to do well so he doesn't need to rush back.
Return Timetable
Murray insisted: "Next season is the more sensible approach. They say the nine-month mark is where you want to be in terms of safety-wise. That would take me to April or May and then we need to see how the season is going."
He added: "If we are sitting comfortably and doing well then it would be worth giving it another couple of months to really strengthen it, then coming back for pre-season. That would probably be better. At my age, I want to come back and not just be there. I want to come back and make an impact. I want to get my fitness to where it was last season as well."
Contract Talks
Murray has spoken to manager Steven Pressley about his future and is hoping it leads to a new deal. He said: "There haven't really been talks or anything like that. I have spoken to the manager. He has been great with me. We just need to see where that goes. I would love to be here still."
Murray is determined to prove the doubters wrong that it will be hard to come back from this injury. He said: "I am very optimistic and I like to rush it a bit, but these injuries you can't do that. We are working with surgeons and medical specialists who say certain things have to be done, no matter how strong you are or how hard you are running."
He added: "The new ligament that was put in takes time for the body to concrete in and to make sure it is solid enough so I can turn and twist and go into tackles, not that I tackle that much! It has to be solid enough so when I get back I stay back and then go on and have many more games to go."
Previous Experience
Murray previously did his ACL in his other knee while in South Africa. The former Hibs star acknowledged: "It is the double-edged sword. You know what your body is like, as you get older you know what to do."
He said: "I know what you have to do because I have been through the process, but I know how hard it is going to be. I know how hard and tedious it can be, especially coming through the winter months. We won't be outside a lot. We will be stuck in a gym with limited windows, but it will all be worth it in the end."
Dundee have had a luckless run of injuries, with Murray, Fin Robertson and Jack Moorhouse all doing their ACLs within weeks of each other. Moorhouse has since returned to Manchester United. Murray is now keeping a watchful eye on Robertson.
Murray said: "Finlay Robertson is injured and we are going through the same thing. It isn't good for either of us, but at the same time we can push each other on and help each other get through it. It is nice to have a wee mate in the gym. It is good to have him around even though he is like an annoying wee brother at times."
The forward is putting the hours in on the gym and spending more spare time with the family. It has also opened the door for him to work on his coaching badges. He said: "When you are injured you have a bit more spare time and to spend more time with the kids has been good. I am also doing my coaching badges at the moment for the next stage of my career."
He added: "What that looks like, if I go into coaching or management, that is something that is keeping my mind away from the injury. It is still in football and I don't think I am ready to escape that quite yet. I have started my B licence, which has been good. I have a practical every Monday in November and I should have that completed by December. I will be chapping the gaffer's door to get some advice."
