Mark O’Hara shed ‘blood, sweat and tears’ to get back fit for Motherwell

Motherwell midfielder Mark O’Hara revealed he literally shed “blood, sweat and tears” following his latest injury setback but is determined to end the season on a high.

O’Hara could face Aberdeen for the third game running on Saturday after suffering a quad injury shortly after beating the Dons in November which kept him out until last week’s Scottish Cup win over the same opponents.

It was the third setback O’Hara had suffered in 2021, following a lengthy spell out with concussion after picking up a head knock in Graham Alexander’s first match in charge in January last year.

The 26-year-old also missed the start of this season after suffering a hamstring injury and then had four months out with his quad problem.

“I hit a shot in training and something went,” he said. “We didn’t think it was that bad and the scan showed a tear. I was a bit numb and and I don’t think I have been as sad as that. I was genuinely sad.

“People say blood, sweat and tears and you think it’s just a metaphor but there were genuinely blood, sweat and tears trying to get back. Luckily I have good friends and family around me and I have kept positive.

“It’s been a freak year. I have never had anything like that. There were a few different setbacks, all for different reasons. It was challenging.

“You do learn a lot and have to do certain things to keep yourself going. I’ve overcome it and I’m feeling really good now.”

O’Hara has been working on mobility and leg strengthening to try to stave off any more injuries and he feels positive about the remaining months of the campaign, with Motherwell looking to push for a top-six place and Scottish Cup glory.

The former Kilmarnock, Dundee and Peterborough player rejected the chance of a loan move in January