Freddie Ljungberg has revealed how a hip operation has transformed his career.
The injury prone Swede left the Premiership two years ago with his reputation in tatters after a season at West Ham where he was incapable of showing the form that made him an Arsenal favourite.
Ljungberg joined West Ham at the same time as Kieron Dyer and Craig Bellamy but rather than hang around he agreed a pay-off just 12 months into his four year deal and headed for the MSL in America.
“My hip was broken and I didn’t know it,” he revealed. “Every time I sprinted at 100 per cent my hamstrings broke and I discovered that if I didn’t run at 100 per cent then my hamstrings did not break and I could keep on playing.
“So you don’t give 100 per cent. All I knew was my hamstring kept tearing for some reason and that was preventing me from doing what I was best at.
“I was a quick player who went past people and you go into a dark place when that’s not possible and don’t know why.
“Then I went to the best hip doctor in the world and he fixed it. I am a reborn player. The surgeon in Colorado put the light back on in my life again and I’ll always be grateful to him for that.
“Now I can run past people once again and it feels nice. I used to wake up in pain every morning and now I get up feeling like I’m 25 again.”
Ljungberg added: “People said I was insane when I left England for the United States but the way my body felt at that time left me no option but to go somewhere else.
“I wanted a break from the Premier League and the paparazzi so that I could clear my mind.
“I had been a professional player for 15 years by then and I needed America to help me get my hunger back.”
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Ljungberg will be thrown straight into the deep end at Ibrox tomorrow as league leaders Celtic face their city rivals.
Neil Lennon’s side has been chopped and changed throughout the season and go to Ibrox with a lengthy injury list.
A week ago Ljungberg wasn’t in the thoughts of the Celtic support- at Ibrox he’ll be looked on as the most likely match winner alongside Paddy McCourt.
Neil Lennon has watched the Swede closely in training all week and will make a decision on his fitness before naming his team.
“Freddie is a huge name but that’s not why he’s here,” Lennon explained. “He has quality and charisma and wants to play here. The decision I have to take now about Ibrox on Sunday is a practical one.
“Freddie sailed through what was a stringent medical and came through the sports science checks with flying colours but it might be just too much of a gamble to play him at Ibrox.
“If I use him after a long break since his last game in America 10 weeks ago he could break down and we would lose him for weeks. On the other hand, he could be tailor made for this game.”
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“My hip was broken and I didn’t know it,” he revealed. “Every time I sprinted at 100 per cent my hamstrings broke and I discovered that if I didn’t run at 100 per cent then my hamstrings did not break and I could keep on playing.
OH GHOD – THIS IS A DISASTER BEFORE IT EVEN BEGINS. I give this guy about two games – imagine temperatures below 0, shite pitch, some young (or old) cart horse from Hibs, or Aberdeed – with very Rangers leanings will seriously f him up. Either that or he will trip on a piece of sod and be out forever.