Life on the sidelines
08/05/2024 10:00
Callum Slattery made a bright start to the 2023/24 season. Beginning his third year at Fir Park, Slattery was at the heart of all things good during Motherwell's Viaplay Cup campaign. He scored two and assisted three times in July.
That positive start to proceedings had the English midfielder full of optimism and confidence for the season that lay ahead. Fans would see the finished product on a Saturday but those goal involvements and positive performances were a result of hard work off the pitch and a full pre-season.
"It was probably the best I had felt in my career," Slattery said.
"Just in terms of fitness, general performances and consistency, I was loving it. I was in a good place mentally and had added some goals to my game.
"I'd say I was on track for my best season in football."
His man of the match displays continued into the league season, where he even won his first player of the month award at the club. But football can be a cruel sport. Slattery would be ruled out for the remainder of the campaign in January, after a tackle on the training ground.
"It was one of those nothing challenges," he explained.
"The ball went into a group of bodies and my foot got caught in the ground. My upper body twisted but my foot remained planted. I knew I had done something serious as the pain was unbearable.
"I had a bad injury when I was young kid, maybe 15 or 16, but nothing in my professional career.
"When you're younger, I don't think it effects you as much. You're still buzzing to be in and about the place but at this age, you do begin to realise how much being out on the pitch helps.
“Being out there makes your forget things. Not playing has a big impact."
It was confirmed that Slattery would miss the rest of the season after this serious knee injury. Despite the 25-year-old having a fair idea this would be the case, having the news confirmed was still tough to hear.
The injury had prevented him from completing a season that had so much potential but even in the day-to-day aspect, everything changed.
"I arrive at the same time as the boys in the morning," Slattery revealed.
"So, you kind of still get that feeling of coming in together, but I'm straight up the gym until lunchtime.
"I'll do exercises to help improve the strength in my leg then I head back down for lunch where I get to see the boys for a bit before going back to the gym.
"All of the work is inside which is completely different mentally, it's something you have to get through physically and mentally."
It's that battle that has the former Southampton midfielder taking a moment to reflect about the importance the sport has on his life.
"As players, you can take football for granted," he added.
"You don't realise how much of a part football plays in your life.
"You come in, go out to play, train, all these things and it becomes normal. You forget worries and concerns outside of football when you're playing.
"I sat down on the couch the other day and thought how lucky I am and how much I do love football. When you're playing, sometimes you have to deal with the lows and bad spells.
"But playing is such a luxury. Having that taken away for a period of time is tough. You now have a lot of time to think."
This season, had this injury not have occurred, Slattery would have been on course to achieve 100 games for Motherwell, something he set out as a target early in the season. But just not completing the season is something that disappoints him as he wanted to see where things would have ended.
But now, the routine is different and the week has been altered and that is something he has had to adjust to.
"My worst day of the week is a Saturday," the 25-year-old said.
"Saturday used to be the best. But I now have to come in and sit in the stands and just watch. There is nothing I can do to help the team.
"I'm really missing that feeling of walking out on the pitch."
Despite all the disappointment and boredom of waiting, Slattery has his focus dialled in on his return to action.
"Having the surgery straight away was good," he explained.
"It means my knee is fixed and that's a step in the right direction. It's just about building strength up in the knee and the fitness work around it, which is the long bit, that's tough.
"I'm just going step by step to get back on the pitch. Each day, week and month, you can see progress.
"All the time, I try to picture myself in the moment of going back on the pitch and what it'll be like. It's far away just now which is the harsh reality, but I believe it'll come round quick and I simply cannot wait."
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