Paddy McNair has heaped praise on ‘incredible’ Duncan Watmore after revealing that the forward’s first act following confirmation that he had recurred his knee injury was to reassure him about his own future.
The pair had both suffered ACL injuries within a month last year before keeping each other going during their near 11-month recoveries.
McNair has expressed his admiration for his team mate, who put concern for his own welfare on hold.
“He came back after the scan and the diagnosis and everyone was going to see him and wishing him well,” he said.
“But apparently, he asked to see me, it was just me and him in the treatment room and the first thing he said to me was ‘don’t let this effect you, it isn’t going to happen to you’.”
“He was just trying to reassure me and told me it was just a freak accident and that I needed to get it out of my head; that it would happen to me as well.”
“I said to Binners (David Binningsley, senior physiotherapist) that he’s just done his cruciate for a second time and that’s all he’s thinking about – reassuring me and worrying about how I feel – he’s the nicest guy on the planet. He’s incredible really.”
Having been together for the guts of a year in the gym and treatment room, the Northern Ireland international is sure that Duncan has all the necessary attributes to return.
“He’s got what it takes to come back stronger from this. It’s going to be tough, particularly the mental side but maybe this time will be a little easier for him because he knows the process and he knows what he has to do,” he continued.
“He’s been so unlucky, it was just the tackle and I think it would happen to anyone, I’m absolutely devastated for him. The first thing for him is to go home and enjoy Christmas if he can and then he can get back to work and getting it right.”
“They have everything here, the staff and the facilities to get him through it and I’m sure he’s going to be back playing before he knows it.”
“I’m going to do my best to help him through it. I know how it feels and I know there are certain points when you want left alone a wee bit, or times when you need someone to just be there and be back involved with the lads, so I’ll keep an eye out for him!”
