JR 1,480 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 KEVIN THOMSON will fly to Manchester today for surgery on his damaged groin, fearing his dream of helping Rangers to the title is over. Thomson faces up to six weeks on the sidelines as he prepares to have a double hernia repaired. It's the kind of operation that brings tears to the eyes but the real agony will follow should the 23-year-old fail to win his place back in Walter Smith's top team. It's taken the former Hibs skipper 12 months to feel as if he truly belongs at Ibrox. Now his biggest fear is he might become a stranger all over again. He said: "People have been very kind and given me a lot of compliments for my recent performances. "But this is Rangers Football Club. A young boy like me just can't afford to go missing at vital stages in the season. I've not proved myself yet and can't expect to walk back into the team when I'm fit. "We are also in the middle of the transfer window and it wouldn't surprise me if the manager brought someone in to play my position. "I'd worry myself sick if I was just having to miss one or two games. But six weeks? It's driving me up the wall. "I fully expect my place to be back in the balance by the time I'm ready to return and that will be playing on my mind. I keep wondering to myself if I'll I get a game again. I know I can't afford to fall out of the picture at Rangers - I have so much still to prove to the manager and the supporters. "The manager has told me not to worry but I can't help it. He says there is no point in rushing back before I am ready and he's right. "But all I can promise is I'll be working ever so hard in the gym to get myself fit again as quickly as possible. I'm having the time of my life in this team and don't want to miss out on what lies ahead. "It's going to be neck and neck all the way to the finishing line in the SPL and we have put ourselves in a great position going into the final stretch. I want to play my part in the run-in. Winning this title is all that matters to me. "To be honest, I'm really upset about the injury. I know it's easy to start feeling sorry for yourself and I realise there are people much worse off than myself but I just can't believe this has happened to me at this particular stage in the season. "I took my time to settle and to really feel like a Rangers player after moving here a year ago. But over the last few months I really feel as if I've grown into the shirt. "I'm not just getting through games any more - I feel I am really starting to contribute and show the fans what I amall about. Then just when I'm getting up to the kind of levels I expect of myself I'm looking at sitting on the sidelines for five or six weeks and that's hard for me to swallow. It's just my luck. "A couple of games would have been bad enough but I'm looking at a lot more than that. "People say it's a good time to get the operation because the league schedule is not as tough as it might have been but that's rubbish. Every time we go out on the park we are pushed to the limits and can't afford to slip up if we want to bring the title back where it belongs. "On top of the league games, I'm also going to miss out on a CIS Cup semi-final with Hearts, a Scottish Cup tie at Hibs and the UEFA Cup matches against Panathinaikos. "To make matters worse, I just happen to be the worst spectator in the world because all I want to do is be out there helping the team. I'm going to be a nightmare to be around for a few weeks." Thomson has spent much of the last two months in denial, trying to pretend his injury might not be as serious as the pain suggested. He said: "To be honest, I knew I'd have to give in eventually because I've been struggling badly with it for about six weeks now. "I've been playing through the pain barrier and was happy at first to keep doing that but the injury was getting progressively worse and in the back of my mind I knew I'd have to get it fixed. "At first it was bearable. Even if I wasn't able to do much training I was still managing to get through the games. "But last week before the game against Gretna I slipped and felt this terrible, sharp, shooting pain. I knew right away I was in trouble. "I wanted to play the next night but I was in too much pain. "The specialist then diagnosed a double hernia on the Thursday but I was still hoping to play against Inverness Caley Thistle on the Sunday. "I was ready to give it a shot but my groin is just too painful and I wouldn't have been able to do my job for the team. That's why it's time for me to get this sorted and come back as quickly as I can." Although Thomson cannot be sure there will be a shirt for him on his return, he's prepared to bet his team-mates will be able to continue their SPL challenge in his absence. He said: "I'm confident we'll still be in pole position by the time I'm ready to return. We have a squad that is able to cope with injuries and suspensions and continue winning games. That's what the manager set out to achieve because he knows what it takes to win the championship. You have to be able to handle losing players from time to time and we have proved already we can. "Alan Hutton has missed the last couple of games due to suspension but Steven Whittaker has slotted in and done a great job. And Sasa Papac has come in to play left-back and been terrific. "Obviously I've missed the last two games as well but Charlie Adam has come into the midfield and made a big contribution. "All the boys are desperate to stay ahead of Celtic at the top of the table and everyone knows what is required of them. The boys are good enough to keep on winning games with or without me." Daily Rhebel. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wronglypenalised 14 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Nice to hear from Kev, glad to see he's feeling as though he belongs now! Very heartening to see also that he fears for his place (though you have to wonder if it's just a token statement as surely he'd get back in instantly ahead of Adam) and that he doesn't take his place for granted!!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueIsTheColour 35 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 He won't lose his place. We have missed his work-rate and battling attitude in the last two games and if we noticed it then Walter will have too. Thomson is fast becoming an essential member of our first team and hopefully he is back playing sooner rather than later. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DadoPrso9 7 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 bring the title back where it belongs. He sounds quite down in that interview Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 505 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 I think it will take longer than 6 weeks for him to comeback... Probably be closer to 3 months I reckon which will really affect our title challenge. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperRangers 2 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Aye right thommo the first match you are fit for Charlies fat arse will be firmly back on the bench Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Stars Bearette 1 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 we are really missing him its such a blow to the team losing him at this stage. All the best Kevin get well super soon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rohan 23 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Maybe it's best if we do bring in another midfielder now to cover for Thomson. Someone good. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poetry_In_Blue 1,043 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Hope he makes a full, speedy recovery, I think he probably only fears for his place if another midfielder is brought in who is as competitive as him. Doubt it is a token gesture as I think he realises that no-ones place is guaranteed. Look at McCulloch, I thought he would be playing against Caley don't even think he was on the bench. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poetry_In_Blue 1,043 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Maybe it's best if we do bring in another midfielder now to cover for Thomson. Someone good. We still have Faye on our books! :pipehorse: Give Furman or Fleck a chance in this role! We might not have to buy anyone! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
the bears ba's 1 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 I don't think he needs to worry about his place. It's not like Adam going to keep him out once he comes back. Get well soon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muff 245 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Absolutely gutted and like Frankie say's, I very much doubt he'll be back in 6 weeks. It's a good interview from a player who wants to prove himself even more, a player who's obviously loving it here at Rangers. Once he's fit, he'll be straght back in there, unless we sign Rino Gatusso in the next 9 days. I think we are going to struggle without him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby 41 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 excellent attitude. i dont think he has anything to worry about - his place is assured after a great season so far - but its a credit to the man he thinks like that, and has respect for his team mates. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlippinEck 3,708 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 The fact he has been playing arguably his best for us with these niggling injuries says a lot, hes really coming onto his game and Im glad he is, its just a real shame hes gonna miss the tough period we have going over the next month as our last 2 performances have showed how much we missed him Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie78 0 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 hope everything goes ok with his opp and he is back as soon as possable don't thing he has anything to worry about will walk back in to the team. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_ni 12 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 have to say i have been one of his biggest critics since he signed but the past few weeks he has just been getting better and better. We have really missed his energy in the middle of the park the past couple of games. This is a big big blow for us. I hope we can get at least one midfielder in or else i think we could be struggling. He wont have any trouble getting back into the team, its pretty obvious smith prefers him over hemdani. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedarvelmarvel 796 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 i,ve had 2 seperate hernia ops and its no small op.but i believe they do it diff now and do keyhole and it speeds recovery ,i was off work for about 3 month but i was,nt a footballer.fingers crossed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
snoopyboymason 13 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 we will ,miss him our best midfielder this season imo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillinger 0 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Thomson's absence is bad news . And Adam should be fearing for his place. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueSuedeSambas 53,875 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 And Adam should be fearing for his place. Adam should be fearing for his life. Have you seen his waistline? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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