Motherwell ace John Koutroumbis admits being diagnosed with cancer at the age of 20 means he will never take anything for granted.
The Australian, who joined the Steelmen in the summer from native side Perth Glory, made his first start for the club in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Dundee United under new boss Michael Wimmer, ending a long and frustrating wait under previous boss Stuart Kettlewell which was also impacted by a calf injury.
But having been diagnosed with stage one thyroid cancer and undergoing a four-hour operation in 2018, defender Koutroumbis has everything in perspective.
He said: “The cancer stuff was shocking. As a young 20-year-old, you never imagine yourself having to say you have cancer. You think you’re invincible. It was quite an eye-opener. But 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 enough to learn them. My perspective on life changed earlier on.
“I was privileged enough that it was caught 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 just have to keep humble, stay grounded.”
On waiting for his chance at `Well, he added: “There’s always frustration when you’re not playing and you’re available to play. But that’s just the game, isn’t it? There’s a squad of between 20 and 30 players and only 11 starters.
“The important thing, what was going through my head, was just to keep fit and be ready for my chance.
“Unfortunately, I was out for a couple of months with a torn calf in the first week of pre-season.
“It really is a test of character whether you push through and stay consistent.
“It’s important to not get within your own head. We’re all human at the end of the day, but just take each hurdle day by day.
“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’ve done that in their lives. That’s the joy of football and just my outlook on life. “
Kouroumbis will now be hoping he can keep impressing German gaffer Wimmer and hold onto his starting spot now he has worked his way into the starting 11.
He said: “There’s a clean slate. When the new manager comes in, that’s a new opportunity for every player, not just for the guys who were playing. They can keep their spot and show the manager that they deserve to be in that spot.”