Thirty four minutes. That’s how long Lee Lucas had of a fresh start in his career before it was threatened once again.
It was the relatively-modest surroundings of Galabank that offered the backdrop to this moment of worry. The former Swansea City midfielder was less than a half into his trial with Motherwell, a move that could potentially spark a period blighted by injury for the 24-year-old Welshman.
A relatively uneventful half hour had just gone by, the Ladbrokes Premiership visitors one goal up. Then, from nowhere, a pain in his hamstring struck and his time to impress on that July afternoon was over.
For a player who had endured the heartache of two ACL ruptures back to back, a blow like this was the last thing he needed as he attempted to rebuild a reputation that saw him gain 19 Wales caps at Under-21 level.
"That was frustrating,” he said ahead of today’s Premiership meeting with rivals Hamilton Academical. “I'd been at the club for three weeks doing pre-season and double sessions. I felt fit and confident going into the game. But it was another setback. It was frustrating at the time but it's nice to be back to full fitness. I want to stay injury free for a long time.
“I'm desperate to get back out there. It's been a nightmare two years for me. I ruptured my ACL in training with Swansea. I thought I had jarred my knee but it was ruptured and I was out for seven months. Then after 20 minutes of my comeback for the reserves it happened again. I was out for a year the second time.
"You do have worries, especially the second time. You just think it's maybe not going to happen. But I took my time with my rehab and fingers crossed I am fine now.
"But I'm mentally stronger for what happened. I've learned from the whole experience. I look at life from a different perspective. I don't take things for granted. I try to enjoy football and I can’t wait to get back out there.”
Lucas is a player that has also been inspired a recent resurgence of Scottish football. Having never played north of the border like so many recruits these days, the influx of higher quality – and profile – figures flooding up to the SPFL’s top flight encouraged the Swansea youth graduate to do the same.
One of those influences was Brendan Rodgers. Then manager at the Welsh club, it is the now Celtic boss who gave Lucas his one and only appearance for the Swansea first-team in a 4-0 victory over Sheffield United.
“He was really good with the young players coming through at Swansea,” said the Motherwell man. “He looked after the young boys as well as the experienced players.
“He treated everyone the same. It was good to spend a few years under him and train with him every day. He was a massive part of my development. I played one first team game at Swansea against Sheffield United. That was the year we got promoted to the English Premier League and it got harder to get into the team with the money available to them.
“It’s mad to think we’re both in Scotland now and I’m sure I’ll bump into him.”
Meanwhile, Hamilton’s Grant Gillespie is hoping to hurt Motherwell on the pitch after he hurt them off it by persuading two of their supporters to switch their allegiances across the Clyde.
Gillespie’s dad and brother were both ardent Motherwell supporters, and Gillespie himself used to attend matches at Fir Park as a youngster. Now though, he hopes to have them cheering in the Hamilton end by helping his side to victory on their old stomping ground today.
“My dad grew up a Motherwell fan and obviously he liked to take me along,” Gillespie said. “I only went for a few years and then I started playing on a Saturday so I couldn’t go. Then when I signed for Hamilton my allegiances to Motherwell went into the bin.
“My dad now comes to Hamilton games. When I was first at Hamilton he would still check the Motherwell scores but the only times he checks them now is when they’re playing us.
“My mum and my dad and even my brother will come to all the Hamilton games now, I think I’ve managed to turn my brother into a Hamilton fan.
“My brother sat in the Motherwell end once against us and it was New Year’s Day when we beat them 5-0, so since that he’s sat in the Hamilton end.
“For the die-hards on both sides it’s a big game, it’s a local derby and there is bragging rights for whoever wins the game.
“We know it’s a big game, not just for us but for the fans as well. We’ll be going out to try to get the win for them.”
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