Getting back to his best has been anything but simple for Rutherglen Glencairn frontman Jay McKay.

The 30-year-old suffered a serious knee injury in the season before last which saw him miss out on almost a year of action, his first prolonged spell on the sidelines since joining the Glens nigh on five seasons ago.

A comeback was always on the cards for someone nursing a burning determination that is so typical of his “never give up”  playing style and it was no real surprise when he made a scoring return in his side’s opening pre-season friendly match (against Carluke Rovers) at the start of this coronavirus-interrupted campaign.

Supporters, not least of all gaffer Willie Harvey, delighted in having their talisman striker nearing the end of his road to recovery however they have now been floored by Jay revealing his mind is set on not pulling on the boots again until next season (whenever that is?).

And he’s moved quickly in response to his bombshell announcement causing eyebrows to be raised by those sceptics who had expected him to be champing at the bit given his last appearance for the Ru’Glonians was all of 11 weeks ago, in a 3-1 WoSFL defeat inflicted by one of his former clubs Rossvale - Jay also turned out with Bellshill Athletic and St Anthonys during his playing career.

Terracing whispers suggesting his injury woes had flared up again were nipped in the bud by Jay explaining: “Getting back to being the same player after a cruciate ligament injury like mine can be extremely difficult but I can honestly say right now is the best I’ve felt physically in the past 18 months.

“Obviously I’m way short of match fitness, just like all the other guys, but the very fact we are all in the same boat is actually a massive improvement on where we stood at the start of this season when I was miles behind everyone else.

“I’ve not found any real playing rhythm as yet because of picking up niggling little strains and pulls but that was always going to be the case when you’ve been out of the game as long as I have.

“The gaffer (Harvey) has eased me back with bit-part starting appearances as well as various substititute outings and there’s no doubt he would have made sure I don’t rush things however some overriding family issues are now requiring all my focus and he is in full agreement with my decision to take some time out.

”I will forever be grateful for all his help and understanding at this difficult time but Willie knows I will do my very utmost to repay him and the club as soon as I’m able.”

Jay sympathizes with Glens team-mates wanting the current suspension on WoSFL football to be lifted, even without the safeguard of regular testing in place, but thinks it might be easier for all concerned to call time on the current  season and get down to planning for what is shaping up as a crunch 2021 campaign.

He insisted: “All the stopping and starting is taking a toll and there are definite signs of enthusiasm waning among the guys particularly in terms of training  where there has been a limited  response at best to Del McNab’s attempts to use his Personal Trainer experience to help maintain fitness levels.

“Instead many players like me just do their own thing with 5K run or bike ride workouts and it might be best if they were spared the agony of doing all this extra fitness work in order to get a green light that in all probability might never come.

“And why put so much effort into trying for a go-ahead when the game of football at any level you care to mention is totally subdued and nothing like what was played before Coronavirus restrictions were put in place?

“It borders on the unreal to see big-name English clubs and even the likes of Celtic and Rangers serving up such repetitive tedium and I cannot recall the last time I watched a televised match without falling asleep.”

The Parkhead-based ace went on to add:  ”I’ve only taken part in a half dozen or so of our games but what I’ve seen up to now has been ordinary at best and the only saving grace is the gaffer  having previously said  this season is purely for him to identify new signings and rebuild.

“Being a part in his plans was always one of my aims when I was out for so long and I’m also eager to be back mixing with the guys and enjoying the dressing-room banter even if I have to admit the atmosphere is nowhere near the same when you are forced to change outside on the terracings.”

Meanwhile, long-standing Rutherglen Glencairn official Peter Ferguson was elected onto the new WoSFL Board following Monday night’s Special General Meeting to facilitate the Lowland League’s handover of the league’s administrative functions.

The full list of office bearers are Chairman - Matt Bamford (Clydebank), Vice Chairman – Colin Boyd (Kilwinning Rangers), Treasurer – Chris McKillop (Port Glasgow), General Secretary – John Dalton (Whitletts Victoria), Discipline Secretary – Jeff Hunt (Pollok), Fixture Secretary – Kennie Young (Neutral) and  Divisional Representatives – Peter Ferguson (Rutherglen Glencairn), Kevin Robertson (Neilston), Robert Macnamara (Ardrossan Winton Rovers), Martin McKenna (St Anthony’s) and Ian Young (Glenafton Athletic.