Mark Gillespie looks forward to July
United keeper Mark Gillespie pledged his support to the #cufc6000 campaign last week, as fans look to back the Blues ahead of the new season, so we took the opportunity to talk to him about other matters once confirmation that he had accepted the #cufc600 Player Ambassador role had been received.
“I just want to get back in training and work hard every day now,” he confirmed. “I’ve played football since I was 6 years old and it’s something I’ve always enjoyed.
“The last few months were the first long term absence from the game I’ve ever had and it just wasn’t nice. That’s why I want to get back into it as soon as possible.”
“I’ve definitely got the bit between my teeth again,” he said. “I don’t think I ever let go of that, to be honest, but this season I know I’ll be more motivated than ever.
“There’s a lot of work for me still to do and I just want to get on with it. I know I’ve missed a lot and the challenge for me is to prove that I’m back and ready to be in the team for the first game in August.”
“I think I’ve said before that it was good to be back on the bench at the end of last season but that’s just the start,” he explained. “Looking at it practically, the length of the lay-off has probably been a good thing even though there have been days when I’ve had enough of being injured.
“The fact is, as Dolly keeps telling me, it’s given me a good period of time to make sure everything is right. I’ve been able to get in the gym and do everything I need to do, in terms of fitness and strength, and the football work can follow after a bit of a break. I know what I want to improve on and where I want to go with it, once I get back with the lads in July, and hopefully I’ll be somewhere near what I was like before I got the injury.”
“I have spoken to the management staff regularly and they always seem pleased with my attitude,” he confirmed. “It seems to come naturally to me, which is fortunate, but that also comes with the fact I’m doing something I really enjoy.
“As far as I’m concerned it’s important to try and get the best out of yourself all the time because this isn’t a long career. You have to make the best out of it you can and that’ll definitely be the case for me this season.
“I’ve seen first hand what it’s like when things do go wrong and I can tell you that kind of thing doesn’t sit well with me. I want to be involved and doing my bit for the team.”
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Click HERE to see Mark Gillespie discussing #cufc6000 on our YouTube channel.
Click HERE to see a full interview with Mark Gillespie on our United Player platform.
