Scott Robertson admits he is just delighted to be back playing regularly once more after fearing that his football career was over.
The 32-year-old Raith Rovers midfielder endured a terrible time last season with a long-running groin injury that required surgery.
It was a problem he had endured before when he was previously at Dundee United but he began to feel that this time, there would be no way back.
Robertson had even begun making preparations for life after football, studying for his English Higher, successfully sitting the exam at the same time as his son Darren.
However, having proved his fitness over the summer, he is relishing combining playing with coaching at Stark’s Park under boss Barry Smith.
Robertson said: “First and foremost being back playing is so enjoyable.
“Obviously it is not the league we want to be in but being back out on the pitch, I am overjoyed.
“Last year in a collective sense was tough going with the situation at the club but personally it was the worst season of my career.
“I only managed to play 60 minutes in the last game and that didn’t go too well either.
“It was the toughest time of my whole career and I thought that was the end of it, to be honest.
“I had been in the same situation before but I was a lot younger then.
“I was out for 18 months with the same injury eight years ago.
“But when I came back from that, I still had a long time playing ahead of me but now I didn’t think there would be anything on the table from Raith Rovers. I didn’t think they would want to take me after the season I had.
“I did think there was a possibility that football was done for me.”
Robertson added: “I did my A licence and had been taking college courses so there were things that I was looking at.
“I basically went back to school to do my English Higher.
“I was actually sitting the exam the same day as my son Darren was doing his English Higher.
“I got the better grade, though!
“I needed the Higher to get to university so I have that now and it is a possibility.
“But carrying on playing was always at the forefront of my mind.
“I was fortunate enough to scrape back in and prove that I was fit.
“Obviously the club have been brilliant with me.”
After being out for so long, there was no summer break for Robertson as he looked to convince Smith that he could still do a job for Raith out on the pitch.
He said: “I never had a close season because I was injured for the whole of the last campaign.
“As soon as the season finished, I was in the gym every day on the treadmill doing my rehab.
“So it was just a continuation right through to the start of this season.
“I met the manager in the summer and he said he wanted me to be here.
“There was a gentleman’s agreement that was as a player and a coach. But first and foremost as a player.
“The main thing was to come in, be fit and sign a deal.
“I was happy with the way things went and the manager was honest with me the entire time.
“I have played every game apart from the Brora one but that was just a rotational thing.
“I am happy with the way things have gone and the situation we are in now.”
While delighted to be back playing, Robertson is also enjoying the coaching side of his job.
And while he admits it is still early days for him on the first rung of the ladder he would ultimately like to move into management one day.
He added: “Coaching is a lot of responsibility.
“You know that as a player but when it actually comes and things are on you it highlights it a bit more.
“But I really do enjoy it. I like to think I have a good relationship with the players who are also my team-mates.
“There is also a good connection for me with the manager. I spent four years with Barry at Dundee.
“I know what kind of person he is and what he was like as a player.
“He is exactly the same as a manager, hard-working. He likes the boys to have a laugh but when it comes to training and playing there is no mucking about, it is deadly serious.
“Management is something I have thought about.
“I wouldn’t be jumping straight into it but once I was ready, I would like to give it a go.”
