Danny Griffin is enjoying Livingston FC return

Oct 15 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

DANNY GRIFFIN’S pre-season lasted just five days after he suffered a back injury but his rehabilitation took even longer as he struggled to regain fitness without a recognised club physio at Almondvale.

The Livingston stopper’s back was pulled out of place due to tightness in his hip which came suddenly at the start of pre-season training.

But with the club operating without a physio at that time it would prove to be a long road back to fitness for the 32-year-old.

Griffin said: “I was injured in training which is always intensive to start with after a six week break in the summer and without a physio at the club it was hard to pinpoint what the problem was and the club sent me to Fitness First who helped sort me out.”

The ex-Dundee United and St Johnstone stopper, once linked with a £1 million move to then-English Premiership side Derby County, returned to the Livi first team for the trip to Berwick.

Livingston lost by a single goal and Griffin admits he was nowhere near ready enough.

“There’s no doubt I came back too early. I should never have played as I’d only been back in training for four days,” he continued. “Now I have the chance to get some revenge against Berwick this weekend after they beat us.”

After another spell on the sidelines working hard at his fitness Griffin returned to the heart of the Livingston defence in the win away to Forfar last Saturday and he chalked up his second straight appearance with a starring role against Annan on Tuesday night.

He admitted: “It’s just great to be back in the team. I have had to work really hard to build up my fitness.

“I’m delighted to be back in the team now and it shows all my hard work has paid off. It is now up to me to keep my place.”

Loan signing Ewen Moyes, Livi youth team graduate Cammy Macdonald and Paul Watson had been scrapping over the centre-back places but Griffin reckons he still has plenty to offer at the age of 32 and with 29 full international caps on his football CV.

He insisted: “I’d like to think my experience means I have a lot to offer the team and the younger guys in the defence. I hope I manage to keep my place.

“I’m enjoying playing next to Cammy right now and it is always great to have a young boy doing your running for you.

“Kyle Jacobs has also slotted in well and the emergence of these young players shows the way the club is looking.”

The Lions are now sitting second in the table and just a single point off top spot but Griffin knows that could change in an instant.

He added: “We are doing well at the moment but we don’t want to count our chickens too early.

“We are simply taking each game as it comes but the way we are playing at the moment means we shouldn’t fear anyone.

“The fact we are now keeping clean sheets as well as scoring goals also helps boost our confidence.”