Tom McIntyre opens up on Aberdeen injury hell as departed defender backs Dons to bounce back from horror season (original) (raw)
The defender is also looking to the future after his short stint at Pittodrie came to an end
Tom McIntyre has backed Aberdeen to bounce back from their Annus horribilis.
The Dons entered as Scottish Cup holders but never got going.
They had to sack Jimmy Thelin and headhunt Stephen Robinson from St Mirren to safeguard their Premiership status.
McIntyre acknowledged: “It has been a tough season at Aberdeen this year. It hasn’t gone with the way they hoped.
“Being such a big club in Scotland, there is a responsibility that comes with that. It has been disappointing this season.
“With Aberdeen winning the Scottish Cup the season before for the first time in a long, long time. It was a season that should have been built on.
“You look at Hearts, they were relegated and had to come back up. Clubs go through ups and downs. Aberdeen is a big enough to be back.”
McIntyre is a free agent after leaving Aberdeen last month. He has vowed to “get over it” after injury savaged his time at Aberdeen.
The 27-year-old moved to the Dons on a short-term contract in January.
He went straight into the team but suffered a hamstring injury in March, which ended his season.
McIntyre said: “I signed a short-term deal in January. I went in there and was doing alright.
“I played four or five games in about 10 days or so. From going to not playing that many games to playing a lot of games in a short space of time, I picked up a hamstring injury.
“I came back down to Reading to do my rehab. I trust them, I am back running.
“It was frustrating but that is life. I’ve had setbacks before and I will get over it.”
McIntyre is now set to look for a new club this summer. He confirmed: “It is a very worrying time as being out-of-contract is a worrying time as most footballers would confirm.
“I am going to get as first as I can get. The PFA do a pre-season training programme which I have signed up for.
“I am hoping I can go in there and impress. I am looking forward to a new chapter.”
McIntyre kicked off his career at Reading. He went back there to do his rehab.
“I would love to go back to Reading one day,” the big centre half, speaking to Radio Berkshire, stated. “I love the club.
“It would be a honour to go back. I know how football works. Maybe it will come up at some stage.”
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