Calvin Miller has revealed that he had to learn how to walk again as he recovered from ACL surgery.
The 22-year-old was released last week but is still a month away from a complete recovery and being able to train again at full pace.
After making a couple of top team appearances during the 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons he went on loan to Dundee in August 2018 where he got a run in the Premiership playing at left-back.
During the January break he switched to Ayr United but it was earlier this season that his career hit rock bottom with the injury news that every player dreads.
Speaking to The Sun Miller recalled:
I tried to get out on loan but didn’t manage it. Maybe two weeks after the window shut I played my first or second reserve game to get my fitness up and did my ACL.
That was me done for the season so it couldn’t have worked out any worse. The physios at Celtic were great and helped with the mental and physical side.
They pushed me through things I didn’t think I’d be able to take as I had to learn how to walk again. They drove me through my limits and I’ve benefited now but I spoke to Chris McCart and John Kennedy last week and when you hear it for real it sinks in even more.
It was emotional when I put it out on social media I was leaving.
Miller’s injury, his contract ending and the current crisis in football make for the perfect storm that could never have been guessed at 12 months ago.
A move out of Scotland seems inevitable but with a glut of players looking for clubs in an uncertain environment no-one can afford to be too fussy.