Scott Robinson admits he was too stunned to even celebrate his first goal in 16 months.
The Kilmarnock attacker had been injured since January 8, and made his first start since then, in the 2-1 Premiership win over Aberdeen on Wednesday night.
He topped off the special occasion in the perfect way with his first goal since a 2-0 Championship triumph at Hamilton Accies in August 2021.
And he admits it was a moment he was dreaming of since he hobbled off against Queen of the South with a serious foot injury earlier this year.
At one point, the striker admitted he had thoughts that he’d never play football again, so it was an emotional night for him.
The 30-year-old said: “I never even celebrated. I was sort of in shock. I was just taking everything in. It means so much to me. I’d been thinking about that moment for a long time.
“To start and to hit the back of the net means, as I keep saying, everything to me. Hopefully it continues but everything feels good with the foot now.
“Football has been my whole life and to think it might end early, it was heartbreaking when I was going through it. Thankfully, I seem to be alright now and I’ll just give it everything to make up for lost time.”
Robinson admits it’s as mentally challenging as it is physically difficult being out for so long – but he’s thankful for everyone around him.
“You don’t know how to deal with it until you are in that position,” he said. “Once I had been through the first one and had five or six months, but when I did it again, that’s when I had real doubts.
“It probably took me a couple of weeks to get myself right. I had good people around me, family around me and I had to keep strong. It’s made me a mentally stronger person now.
“My family was always there. Kids always put a smile on your face but the club has also been fantastic. The gaffer had me out scouting, keeping me busy and making me still feel part of it.
“I was useless to the club really but they stood by me. They’ve done everything to get me back and I just want to continue repaying them.”
Robinson continued: “Is it the best Christmas present ever? Aye. My family will be delighted.
“They know what I’ve been through and I’ll think about it a lot that I managed to get my first start and first goal.
“I had thought about that for a long time. For it to happen now is just amazing.”
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