Greg Paterson Returns

Young keeper returns to action after 11 months out.

Greg Paterson played 62 minutes for the Under 19s in the friendly against Stirling Albion on Sunday morning, his first appearance since playing against Ross County on 6th April last year. At the start of the season he required an operation to his right wrist and then another on the bone fusion in his lower spine on 5th September.

"The surgeon said that it would be four months at the least, tops six months" explained Greg.

It is now just short of six months since the operation and he has been back training for a couple of months now. During the freezing cold start to February training was nearly all on astroturf and Greg had to wait for a match on grass just to protect his hip.

"I wasn't long back when Calum Reidford got injured, I got a phone call on the Saturday of the game. Following that I was training all week with the first team and it was great to get right back in."

Callum recovered and Greg was waiting for a reserve match but that one last Tuesday at Cowdenbeath was postponed and he was told that if the under 19s were playing on the grass he would be playing with them.

"I am going to feel aches and pains because I have been out that long. It happens during a football career. The physio Gerry Docherty has been superb as he is with all the players who get injured."

Greg who has seventeen international caps at U16 and U17 level, turned 19 in September so he was played as an over age player in the U19s game.  He is no stranger to the Fleet Ground however since he has played at that level since the age of 16.

Matches might be hard to find for Greg since the reserves have only two games left to fulfil on their league cup fixtures list and the U19s just one next Sunday in Dingwall. There could be U19  League Cup games however.  Greg will go anywhere for some match practice right now:-

"I would like a month out on loan towards the end of the season for a bit of experience. If I don't get out on loan I might get a half or games in the reserves."

The reserves lost Callum Reidford in a match at McDiarmid Park earlier this season and big striker Jordan White donned the gloves. Greg is up for the challenge even if he has to play outfield!

"I read it on the website. Jordan did alright but I'll take his place upfront if ever needed. I see myself more as a right or left winger cutting in."

Greg has attended all Pars home games and as the results go against Dunfermline he observed:-

"It has been disappointing to watch but even more disappointing for the players on the park. The way things are going at training, everybody is high still. There is still the belief because there are so many games to go. St Johnstone haven't been performing but we have just not been taking our chances. We still have St Johnstone to play and if we can beat them and the few other teams around about there is nothing in it.

"Anything can happen in this league and probably will. I just hope we can go on a winning streak and get us on top of the league."