Danny Swanson certainly hasn’t had his injury problems to seek this season, but now the Dundee United midfielder believes his next obstacle is mental rather than physical.
Swanson lasted just a few minutes of a match against Hearts at the start of the season, and since then has not started a game for the Tannadice club.
The root of his nightmare has been a sciatic issue which has led to recurring hamstring damage.
The 24-year-old admitted he is struggling to keep faith that his body will hold up during his latest attempt at a comeback, but he is hoping that will soon change.
An extended run-out against Celtic would help his psychological recovery.
Swanson explained, “I think my main problem at themoment is in my head. When I’m running I’m still thinking about my hamstring going.
“It was maybe different for Craig (Conway) when he came back from injury recently because he had an operation which fixed him.
“I just need to build up my trust in the hamstring, and that will improve by getting my fitness up because I’m a bit behind the rest of the lads |running wise.
“I had the same mental problem before with my knee. I was still scared when I came back.
“When my hamstring went I wasn’t expecting it, so that’s why it’s still in my head. When I’m running that’s what I’m thinking about and I need to get rid of that.
“More training and games will help.”
He added, “I played 75 minutes against St Mirren in a closed-doors game on Tuesday and I felt OK.
“I was going to play 90 but I saw my wee brother (Lewis) warming up on the sidelines so I thought I better let him on.
“I’ve trained since as well, so I’m feeling good.
“There are a lot of games coming up and the manager’s told me that everybody will be needed.
“I’m looking at starting games again soon. We’ve got a lot of boys coming back just now so I think this could be a good time for us.
“I was chomping at the bit to get on the pitch on Saturday at Hamilton but the manager decided to leave me on the bench. Hopefully I’ll get a run-out against Celtic.”
Boyhood Hibs fan Swanson is looking forward to the prospect of coming up against a back to form Scott Brown if the feisty Celtic captain is fit for the match.
After seeing him square up to El-Hadji Diouf in typical Brown fashion in last weekend’s Old Firm cup-tie, Swanson believes the United midfield can expect more of the same from the Scotland man.War of wordsHe said, “Scott Brown is coming back to his best. He relishes games like that when he can get in people’s faces and make his tackles.
“I’ve watched him since he was young, playing in a great Hibs midfield with Kevin Thomson, and he’s always been that type of player. It’s just his style.
“I can remember he did the same to Prince and Morgaro in a game last season. I enjoy that sort of battle. I like being in the thick of it and hopefully I’ll get a taste of it on Sunday,” he said.
Meanwhile, United manager Peter Houston last night refused to be drawn into a war of words with Neil Lennon.
The Parkhead boss rounded on Houston for suggesting that Steven Naismith should not have been sent off for diving in last Sunday’s Old Firm game.
Lennon hit back by dragging up comments made by the Scotland assistant boss after his side’s 2-1 win at Tannadice earlier in the season, where he claimed Ki Sung-Yueng went down “like a sack of tatties” in a bid to win a penalty.
Houston chose not to hit back. “I never actually read what was said because I was in Dublin with the Scotland squad,” he said.
“As far as I am concerned there is nothing to say. I will keep a dignified silence on the matter.”
United will be without suspended skipper Jon Daly.
“Jon was great last week at Hamilton and he will be a big miss for us,” said the manager.
Meanwhile, Lennon is giving Brown until today to prove his fitness.
The Hoops midfielder pulled up in the warm-up before Scotland’s Carling Nations Cup win over Northern Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Wednesday night with an aggravation of a groin complaint and was replaced by James McArthur.
Lennon described Craig Levein’s decision to withdraw Brown as “sensible,” but the Celtic boss has been left with a similar situation.
“At the minute Brown is probably 50-50 and we will have to wait to see how he is,” said Lennon.
Lennon added, “Thomas Rogne trained, Glenn Loovens had a virus and we will have to wait and see how he is, and James Forrest will hopefully train tomorrow.”