Asked whether he feels due a little good fortune, Craig Sibbald smiles ruefully.
“You could say that.”
If not for bad luck, Dundee United’s latest summer signing would have no luck at all.
The busy midfielder endured a maddening start to last season with Livingston, contracting Covid on two occasions. Mandated periods of isolation, allied with the battle to get back to full fitness, set him back.
Niggling hip, calf and ankle knocks followed. A campaign interrupted.
However, United saw enough in Sibbald’s showings — not just last term, but during a solid career with Livi and Falkirk — to swoop for his services.
And he now cuts the figure of a man determined to make up for lost time.
“Last season was tough because it wasn’t really in my hands,” Sibbald told Courier Sport.
“It was Covid twice and there’s not a lot you can do about that. It’s not like it’s a knock or a strain.
“Then I suffered another two injuries, which didn’t help me trying to get back.
“Hopefully, I’m due some luck. I want to put all that behind me and have a good season with Dundee United.
“My aim is to get really fit and stay in the team this time. I want to come in all guns blazing.”
Going the extra miles
Indeed, that quest for optimum fitness has been a theme throughout the summer for Sibbald.
He may have been without a club since departing Livingston at the end of last season, but the playmaker has been going the extra mile to get in exemplary shape — from Crossfit to bespoke training sessions.
“I joined a Crossfit near where I live,” continued Sibbald. “That was solid, to be fair! That’s never easy.
“My best mate, Blair Munn (former Falkirk and Alloa), also does coaching so I went along for a few sessions there.
“Him and Callum Tapping (Edinburgh City midfielder) do that. It’s a really good set-up and quite a few professionals have gone there — Stephen Kingsley, Charlie Telfer, Robbie Crawford.
“We were all just trying to stay as fit and sharp and possible and it really helped.
“I was doing a lot of running in the gym and on the road; just whatever I could do every day to keep myself going.
“But that not the same as when you are training with a team. It’s not the same sharpness. So, last week in Marbella (United’s training camp) was really good for me.
“I felt better on Saturday against Sunderland so I just want to keep improving.”
Fox factor
Sibbald is anything but an unknown quantity for the United coaching staff.
Jack Ross has spoken about being a long time admirer of the ex-Bairns star — who made his first-team debut aged 16 — and Tangerines No.2 Liam Fox worked with Sibbald during a brief spell in the same role at Livi in 2020/21.
In fact, it was a call from ‘Foxy’ that ignited hopes of a switch to Tannadice.
“I spoke to Foxy a couple of times during the summer,” revealed Sibbald.
“He just told me to keep fit and we’d see what happens!
“My agent told me Dundee United were interested and I was just buzzing when they phoned.
“I know what Foxy is about and what his training is like — likewise, he knows what I’m like. That can only help. But I know I still need to prove myself every day, and it’s up to me to do well.”
Europa Conference League test
And following Monday’s Europa Conference League third qualifying round draw, there is now a tantalising carrot for United stars fighting for their place.
The likelihood is that AZ Alkmaar will see off Bosnian minnows Tuzla City to tee up a mouth-watering showdown with the Terrors.
“It’s another stage for me to show what I can do,” Sibbald added.
“There will be no fear from us, and the whole club will be buzzing for it.
“The sessions and games we get under our belt — all playing together — will only be a good thing. We’ll gel together as the weeks go on and I believe we’ll be ready and raring to go when those European games come around.”
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