There were genuine concerns that the football career he had worked so hard to create was nudging towards a premature end.
Sat in the doldrums of injury frustration, at times it became difficult for Chris Kane to truly envisage himself running back onto the McDiarmid Park pitch to the applause of supporters.
The 28-year-old, who has been associated with St Johnstone since he was a kid, admits the latest chapter of his journey in the game has been the toughest period of his life.
It had started in January 2022 with a surgery-requiring knee issue which, initially, was meant to keep the hard-working forward sidelined for just six months or so.
Still a difficult timeframe to stomach but six months became eight months, eight months became ten months, ten months became a year.
When the knee problem eventually cleared up, further set-backs surfaced. A year out became fourteen months and, following another calf niggle, fourteen months became sixteen months.
“The toughest year and a half of my life,” Kane explained to the PA. “Sometimes I thought there was not an end. It just did not seem to be getting better.
“Before I knew it I’d been out for a year, the new season had started and I still wasn’t fit. There were times I did think I was not going to get better and that my knee was just going to be too sore. It was upsetting.
“I had wanted to be a footballer since I was as young as I can remember. You never want to stop.
“I don’t know what I’ll do after football and all of these things go through your head.”
On Saturday against Motherwell, Kane, receiving a standing ovation from Saints fans, made his emotional and long-awaited return as a late substitute.
“I heard the fans when I came on so I’d like to thank them for that and all of the messages they had given me throughout the season,” an appreciative Kane said.
Coupled with the fans, Kane was able to roll off a long list of thank you messages to those who have helped him through the past 16 months. A special mention went to his young daughter, Halli, born in February of last year.
“Luckily I’ve had people around me to keep me going,” Kane said. “The club has been great, the boys, the fans and my family.
“My wee one has been great and has kept me going. Going home and seeing her wee happy face... she honestly means the world to me. My girlfriend too. They have really kept me happy and in a good place.”
Kane has returned to a team fighting to remain in the top-flight of Scottish football, just like it was all those months ago when he first picked up his injury.
His ability to get you up the park, his pressing from the front and all-round determination in the attacking department has undoubtedly been missed.
It should never be underestimated how crucial a role he played in the historic and perhaps once-in-a-lifetime achievement of winning the League Cup and Scottish Cup in the same season back in 2021.
He chipped in with crucial and memorable goals too, including on the European stage against LASK and Galatasaray. Winning the penalty kick in Istanbul to help Saints earn a 1-1 draw was a particularly unforgettable moment.
Watching from the stand in more recent times, like all professional players will tell you, has been a challenging and frustrating experience.
Kane, with a grin, said: “I’ve been saying ‘I’d have scored that’ in the stand every week when I was watching. But it’s easy to say that.
“It’s obviously different when you’re on that pitch. I wouldn’t say I was nervous on Saturday. I just wanted to get on and help the boys. The adrenaline gets you through and now hopefully I can get more minutes.”
Sending him back onto the competitive field of play was interim manager Steven MacLean who, for the past three games, has stepped into the hotseat following Callum Davidson’s exit.
MacLean is a very familiar face for Kane. They played together for many years.
“Macca was great every time I played with him,” Kane insisted. “He never stopped talking, kept me right and helped me learn. He was massive when I was coming through at Saints.
“I’ve known Macca for eight or nine years now. He is a great character. Everyone knows how tough he can be as well but he has had a good reaction from the boys and everyone respects him. I think he has been great.
“Hopefully we can crack on, get a couple more wins and see if he keeps the job.”
There remains uncertainty surrounding who will lead Saints beyond the summer but there is certainty in where Kane wishes to be. His contract is up at the end of the season.
“Hopefully Macca can stay here and I can stay here as well and I can learn more,” Kane said.
“I’m out of contract. I’m just focusing on getting fit - that is the main thing I need to do.
“First and foremost I need to stay injury free because I’ve been in that physio room too long. I want to play as many minutes as I can and take things from there.
“I’ve been at this club for 13 or so years now. Ideally I’ll stay here. I’m happy here. The club means the world to me. I’ve been here since a wee boy. It means everything.”
In the here and now, Kane feels ready to help fire Saints to Premiership safety.
He said: “Thankfully I’ve come out the other side now and I can keep myself fit.
“We’re not safe yet this season but I do think we have a really good squad and are capable of playing really good football. If we keep doing what we can do, then we’ll pick up enough points to stay up.
“There is a bit of pressure there for us but we just need to keep going. We’ll be going down to Kilmarnock to try and get that win.
“A goal would top it off for me. Hopefully I can get some goals and keep us up. But if I was sat on the bench and we won, I wouldn’t care.”
Kane concluded: “I feel good. I’ve been keeping my fitness up on the bike and now I’ve had a good couple of weeks of training.
“I just need to look forward and focus on the last few games. I can’t look back now.”
