Sean Welsh reckons bagging Saturday’s winner for Caley Thistle made his injury comeback worthwhile.
After recently returning from a broken metatarsal, which ruled him out of the Scottish Cup semi-final and Championship play-offs last season, Welsh came off the bench to score from the spot in the 1-0 win over Dunfermline.
The former Partick Thistle and Falkirk man suffered the injury at the end of March against Alloa Athletic and only made his return in the 3-1 win over Morton in the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup.
He continues to work towards full fitness and started Saturday on the bench, behind James Vincent and David Carson, but came on for the latter with 30 minutes to go and netted the winner late on.
Welsh said: “It came at a real bad time when we had the Scottish Cup semi-final and play-offs, so it was hugely frustrating. It’s taken a wee bit longer than I was hoping for. Thankfully I’m over that now and I just want to look forward to the season ahead.
“It becomes harder. When you’re young and naive, you don’t really think about it. When you get a bit older, you start to think ‘am I going to come back from this one?’ – especially if they’re serious. “You’ve got to be mentally strong and there are times when you question yourself. You’ve just got to get your head down and work hard.
“It’s just a nice feeling to be out there playing. If you get the chance to score the winner, which doesn’t happen very often for me, it makes it all worthwhile.”
Welsh was back on the bench for the goal-less draw with Dundee towards the end of August and set up two goals in the win over Morton nine days ago.
He added: “I’ve been champing at the bit to get back involved but I’ve had to bide my time. The boys have been great this season.
“I put myself forward to take penalties and if you do that you’ve got to be able to deal with the pressure. It’s a nice feeling if you get rewarded and put it away.
“I’m getting there fitness-wise. I came through 90 minutes unscathed last week and that was another 30 in the bank on Saturday. When my time comes I need to take it and thankfully I did that.”
The 29-year-old feels the squad is in a better place to compete this season, with the loss of Joe Chalmers and Liam Polworth offset by Carson and Vincent’s arrivals.
Welsh said: “We lost a couple of our better players in the summer but the gaffer has replaced them well. We’ve got good numbers and competition for places.”
