Ryan McLaughlin says “it’s great to be back” after signing a one-year deal with the Club on Monday.
“It was March when I was last in at training, so it feels good to see everybody. It feels strange to have had that amount of time away,” said McLaughlin after putting pen to paper.
“I was talking to Brian and Lee through lockdown about hopefully getting something done and it has been progressing from there. I’ve been keeping fit during lockdown and keeping up to date every couple of weeks with them, and now I’m delighted to finally get it over the line. I can’t wait to get started again.
Under COVID-19 protocols, McLaughlin had to train on his own during his first day back at the Club. Although he's looking forward to getting back in amongst the squad, he was just pleased to be back out there.
“I got used to training on my own over the last four months, so today wasn’t too bad. I’ve done a fitness test, which everybody else would have done on their first day. It was a bit of a blow, but it was fine and I was happy enough. I’m looking forward to getting back into training with the team. I’m glad that I'm over my injury from last season, so I was just buzzing to be out there running. I’m fine now, touch wood, so hopefully I can go into pre-season and then have a strong start to the season.”
McLaughlin struggled with a foot problem for much of last season but he’s hopeful that’s all behind him now.
“Last season was the worst of my career. I had plantar fasciitis – it happened during the last game of pre-season when I got tackled, and I developed that condition. Trying to come back from that was actually quite difficult but it has been fine for four or five months now, so I’m going to pretend that last season didn’t happen for me and push on and progress.
“I’ve been speaking to Brian about the start of the season and he seems really positive and excited for it.
“The fixtures are released at the end of the week, too, so it’s good to have something to aim for, and to be playing games [pre-season friendlies] as well. I’m excited to get back among the matchday feeling - I’m buzzing for it. We’re looking very good in training from what I’m hearing, so I’m really looking forward to the season starting.”
Watch Ryan’s interview in full on iFollow.