ian1964 10,669 Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Jan 2 2009 By Keith Jackson RANGERS were given the perfect New Year's Day pick-me-up last night when Kevin Thomson revealed his career-saving operation has been a complete success. Thomson went under the knife in London on Hogmanay to finally have his shattered left knee rebuilt - two months after it was mangled during an SPL clash at Rugby Park. Record Sport can reveal the surgery had to be delayed after doctors spotted a life-threatening blood clot which had formed on Thomson's left calf. The stricken 24-year-old was finally given the all clear to go under the knife last week and jetted down south on Tuesday to put his career in the hands of Dr Andrew Williams, Britain's top knee injury specialist. And yesterday, in an exclusive interview with Record Sport from his hospital bed, Thomson revealed the surgery went so well he was back walking within a couple of hours of leaving the theatre. He said: "I know it might not sound like the ideal way to spend Hogmanay - lying in a hospital bed on my own in London pumped to the eyeballs with morphine - but I could not have wished for better news. "After everything I've been through in the last couple of months I'm just delighted to be here. "It's gone better than any of us had expected. The surgeon thought when he opened me up he would have to repair both my medial ligaments and maybe my cartilage. "But because of complications we had to delay the operation and that gave me time to do a lot of physiotherapy. "I worked hard and it seems the medial ligaments have repaired themselves as a result. "That meant all the doc had to do was concentrate on building a new interior ligament, which was obviously always going to be the most important part. "It seems to have gone well because I already have movement back in the joint and I've been up walking already. I can't tell you how good that felt." Thomson now hopes to be back in full training at Murray Park before the rest of his Ibrox team-mates report back for a not her punishing pre-season. He said: "That's the plan. The surgeon is extremely happy with the way it's gone and says there is no reason why I can't be back in six months. "I've been through this once before and I'm not naive enough to think there won't be a hiccup or two along the way but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to be back as soon as possible. "July is seven months away so with a bit of luck I should have a good four or five weeks of training under my belt by the time the rest of the lads come back in from their holidays. "I've not been the luckiest of boys so far with injuries but I'm due a bit of luck and touch wood I'll get it in the New Year. "There's a long way to go but all I can think about is pulling on that shirt again and getting on with my Rangers career." Meanwhile, Ibrox boss Walter Smith will assess whether Andy Webster and Alan Gow have a place in his plans when they return this month after loan spells at English Championship sides. Webster has spent the first half of the season at Bristol City, where it was hoped he would be able to build on his fitness after suffering a series of injuries. But he picked up several minor knocks and made just six appearances during his spell at Ashton Gate. Gow had a reasonably successful stint at Blackpool, scoring five goals in 17 games. Smith said: "We'll see what happens when they come back and review the situation." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/2009/01/02/exclusive-new-year-all-clear-for-kevin-thomson-after-career-saving-operation-86908-21009845/ 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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