Former Rangers star Lewis Macleod has admitted he may have to hang his boots up at the age of 27 as injuries take their toll on the midfielder – but the ex-Ibrox prodigy insists he’s still in love with football as contemplates his future.
Macleod has had a horrendous time with injuries since before he left Rangers with stints at Brentford, Wigan Athletic and Plymouth Argyle all hampered by a string of different problems.
Since leaving the Pilgrims in May, Macleod is without a club and has been working with ex-Rangers physio Steve Walker as he puts his focus on doing his coaching badges.
“I’m doing rehab at the moment and I’ll just need to see how it goes,” Macleod said.
It’s different doing rehab yourself when you don’t have a club.
“I’ve been in the gym training with Steve Walker, who used to be the Rangers physio. He’s just seeing me whenever he can – usually once a week – to get going again, but I’ve got no immediate plans to get back playing.
“I’ll see how the rehab goes and see what happens, but if it doesn’t go to plan I might have to start looking at something else.
“But I won’t cross that bridge until I come to it.
“I’ve not thought that far ahead and I’ll concentrate on doing coaching badges for the moment.
“I still love football and I still have a passion for it, but actually playing it, not so much in the last few years with the injuries.
“Whether I’m lucky enough to be back playing next season or looking to coaching instead, who knows.”
Macleod has only managed 72 appearances since leaving Rangers at the start of 2015.
While he’s taking his time about finding a new club and making sure he’s over the worst of his problems, you can’t help wonder how his career would have gone had he not been so susceptible to injury.
When Macleod first broke through at Rangers he was touted for the very top so it is sad to see him on the brink of retirement before he’s even hit 30.
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