Andy Walker has revealed that he was told his injury was ‘career threatening’ when he suffered the same injury as crocked Celtic winger Jota.
Boss Brendan Rodgers revealed that the Portuguese star faces nine months out of action with a cruciate ligament injury suffered in the Hoops demolition of Dundee United last weekend that saw them claim the Scottish Premiership trophy.
The 25-year-old then limped off in the first half and going into the derby showdown with Rangers this Sunday, has suffered another career set-back.
It comes after a positive start to his second spell at Celtic where he helped the side become champions and reach the Scottish Cup final – having endured a tough 18 months away from Glasgow’s east end at Al-Ittihad and Stade Rennes.
And former Parkhead star Walker – who suffered the same injury during his time at Bolton – has told Jota the honest reality of his road long back to action.
He told the Go Radio Football Show: “It takes me back – I suffered a cruciate , a complete rupture – and it took me out for the best part of a year.
“I didn’t have surgery, at the time if your knee joint was stable enough you could recover by building up your quads and your hamstrings.
“I did play for another six or seven years – so I was very grateful for the treatment that I got when I was at Bolton. It’s a horrible injury.
“The recovery process is long and hard. I will know how he is feeling just now – when you can hardly put any weight on your foot you can hardly imagine controlling a ball, never mind twisting and turning.
“It’s so far away. It’s an awful injury, but a lot of people come through it and come back stronger.
“I was told it was career threatening, so that immediately gives you a big scare but eventually you come to terms with it.
“It’s a long road to get back. You then buy into the rehab, you buy into the recovery and it’s hard work.
“You are just not strong in the initial weeks – maybe months – but he will get the best form of treatment and recovery.
“Hopefully you don’t have a set-back, because you will have a goal in your own mind – a goal that is maybe set for you by the doctors and the physio – but so many people come back from it now. It is one that takes a long time.”
