JOHN KOUTROUMBIS had to wait eight long months to make his first start as a Well player.
Plenty of footballers would have thrown the toys out of the pram before now.
John Koutroumbis made his long-awaited debut over the weekend[/caption]
He faced Dundee United at Tannadice[/caption]
But when you’ve overcome cancer at the age of 20, life takes on a different perspective.
Back in 2018, the Australian right-back was struck down with stage one thyroid cancer.
Then at Newcastle Jets, he was ruled out indefinitely until eventually being given the all clear to begin the long road back.
So when an injury sidelines you at a new club, in a new country and you barely get a look-in for over half a season?
It’s maybe easier to understand why Koutroumbis took things in his stride.
The Aussie, who joined Well last June but didn’t make his full debut until this latest loss to Dundee United, said: “The cancer stuff? It was shocking.
“As a young 20-year-old, you never imagine yourself having to say you have cancer. You think you’re invincible, especially at that stage.
“It was quite an eye-opener. I say to people I wouldn’t have changed a thing because it’s taught me many lessons.
“Maybe those lessons would have been learned later in life, but I was fortunate to learn them earlier. My perspective on life changed earlier on.
“I was privileged enough that it was discovered early. Some people don’t get that lucky, unfortunately.
“That’s one thing I do think of when I reflect on that time.
“It could have been a lot worse and people do have it a lot worse. You’ve just got to stay humble, keep grounded.
“The good times come but then there are bad times. Then bad times are over and then there are good times. It’s just a big cycle.
“But I know now there are even the small things you can’t take for granted. I’m in a beautiful country like Scotland. I’m living away from home.
“Not many people can say they have done that in their lives. That’s the joy of football and it’s my outlook on life.”
Former Well boss Stuart Kettlewell raved about Koutroumbis when he arrived last year, yet only used him twice as a substitute.
The Adelaide-born defender, now 26, added: “I was very excited to start my campaign here. Unfortunately I was then out for a couple of months with a torn calf in the first week of pre-season.
“That’s not something you plan for and you’re behind everyone who’s done pre- season. They kicked on with the season and cup games prior.
“You start a bit behind in that position. That’s just the game. Injuries and other issues are part of it.
“It really is a test of character whether you push through and you stay consistent.
“It’s important to not get within your own head. We’re all human and it’s each hurdle day by day.
“There’s always frustration when you’re not playing and you’re available to play.
“Unfortunately, there’s a squad of between 20 and 30 players at Motherwell and only 11 starters.
He never got the nod to start under previous boss Stuart Kettlewell[/caption]
“That’s the nature of the game. The important thing for me, and what was going through my head, was just to keep fit and be ready for that opportunity to come.
“I spoke to the previous manager and he clarified a lot. We had multiple conversations.
“It was just about getting back to the same level as the boys who were playing.
“My fitness was down and at that period we were winning, then we started losing games. He didn’t want to change much because players were playing well.
“Did it ever reach the point where I was thinking the move wasn’t working and I might have to leave?
“That’s where an agent helps and makes those decisions. I’m not really into that sort of thing, where I want to look for it somewhere else.
“I signed for Motherwell and I wanted to play for them.
“If it then doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. That’s up to my agent to decide.”
The arrival of new gaffer Michael Wimmer saw Koutroumbis fast-tracked into the team at Tannadice.
In what quickly turned into a war of attrition, he played the full 90 minutes, but couldn’t help Well get anything from the game following Sam Dalby’s 11th-minute header.
After they dropped out of the top six for the first time since August last weekend, their fifth straight Premiership loss saw them tumble to tenth — just four points clear of the relegation play-off spot.
If he didn’t know it before, German coach Wimmer, Well’s first foreign boss since Finn Harri Kampman took over in 1998, now has a better idea of the task he has in front of him. Koutroumbis said: “Yes, there’s a clean slate with the new manager coming in now. He’s seen games, I assume, but he hadn’t seen it in person.
Koutroumbis with new boss Michael Wimmer[/caption]
“For him to be there at training and seeing players, now it’s up to him to make the decision on game day.
“It’s a new opportunity for everyone, not only for players who were playing. They can show the manager they deserve to be in that spot.
“But players on the sideline have an opportunity to show the new coach there is something within that player.
“Whether or not the manager sees they have potential to play, it’s up to him.
“The game itself was a tough one. It was a bitter pill to swallow, really. It’s coming to that point of the season where points are crucial. We’ve seen how tight the league is.
“From fourth to almost last position, there’s only six or seven points. It’s getting to the business end of the season where points are so important.”
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
