Alan Cook interview
15th April 2013
GLAD TO BACK IN THE SQUAD AGAINST MORTON?
I was delighted to say the least. For myself personally it's been a bit of an up and down season, not really any ups. It's been one thing after another. Getting to play was a bonus after thinking I was out for the season so it was good getting back that wee bit earlier.
WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THE GAME?
We were playing against a very experienced team. A couple of small mistakes were made but at times we can hold our own against top teams. Although we went 4-0 down when we brought it back to 4-2 we sort of had them on the ropes until Grant got sent off. But that can happen in football. At times I felt we were in the game.
YOU WERE THE ONE THAT BROUGHT IT BACK TO 4-2.
Aye, getting a goal was good but at the end of the day you'd swap personal pride for the team considering where we are in the league.
WHAT HAS KEPT YOU INJURED FOR SO LONG?
I went up for a header in a game and when I landed I ripped a ligament on the outside of my ankle and ruptured the inside so it was all damaged to an extent, not too far off needing an operation. We thought at first it was a knock but through time it developed into something more serious. After going for an MRI and seeing consultants the doctors said I'd be back playing quicker if I had just broken my ankle that what the ligament damage was.
IT WAS A GOOD START TO THE SEASON FOR YOU TOO.
I scored on my debut against Queen's Park, but I picked up a couple of knocks through pre-season. I started 12 games or so before I got injured but after last year I was really hoping to kick on and score more goals. I managed to get eight goals which was third or fourth top scoring midfielder in the league - not bad for a team that got relegated. But it's not about individuals, it's about keeping the team in the league.
WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE WATCHING THE TEAM AS A SPECTATOR WHILE YOU WERE OUT INJURED?
It's been frustrating, especially for a great group of boys. You want to get back in and help as much as you can, not in the stands.
HAVE YOUR OLD CLUB DUMBARTON SURPRISED YOU THIS SEASON?
They've come back from the dead really, haven't they? Under Adamson they weren't doing too much but Ian Murray has been a revelation for them. I don't know what they've done, whether it was just their confidence, but they've done very well for sure.
WHY DID YOU LEAVE STIRLING ALBION TO JOIN AIRDRIE?
Work commitments was a factor and going down to the Third Division was something I didn't particularly fancy to progress my career. I felt that Airdrie was a step up, especially potentially going up to the First Division. When you're relegated clubs come in for offers and about five or six clubs came in for me. I decided Airdrie was the best move for myself. Unfortunately my season hadn't panned out like I wanted through injury and whatnot.
Interview by Douglas Barrie.