Former Hearts ace shares 'dark times' at rival after injury woe left him 'embarrassed'
The former Hearts star has had a rough time with injury of late.
One former Hearts star has shared his relief after coming through injury misery across the Premiership.
Jordan McGhee is a graduate of the Riccarton academy structure and made 74 Hearts appearances before stints at Falkirk and Dundee. He signed a pre-contract with Motherwell in early 2025 ahead of joining the Steelmen that summer but has since made just nine appearances amid a host of injury issues.
Sunday’s start against Hearts was his first of the season as Wouter Vrancken’s visitors won 2-0 at Fir Park. Defeat wasn’t welcomed by McGhee but the versatile ace admits it was a major boost to play over an hour after fitness issues at Motherwell that left him gutted.
Jordan McGhee on injury issues at Motherwell
He said: “It was dark times. You're second-guessing everything, overthinking everything, asking yourself why, why again, why me? Finally, I am glad to be out the other side of it through hard work and my family.
“Everyone at the club, my two kids, and my wife have been outstanding and they've got me through this dark period. Now it's full focus on what I can effect on the pitch and in and around the club and I'll be doing everything I can to make it right.
“I felt pretty useless, disappointed at how things at the club went the way they did with the pre-contract and the signing. Gutted, embarrassed, disappointed, but at the end of the day it's no one's fault. It's not my fault, it's not the club's fault, it's happened, some unfortunate happenings with injuries.
“Now it's a case of looking forward. What's behind me is behind me and look what I can control and that's what's in front of me. I don't really do social media, I've got Instagram, but you see fans saying 'he's always broken' and you do feel embarrassed because that's what's happened. You come into training and everyone's like 'what's up with you there, your hamstring's went.'
“You feel embarrassed telling people, feel embarrassed telling your family, your friends. There was nothing I can control. The guys kicked my leg into outer space and it's ended up tearing. Even picking up kids from school though, everyone's asking 'when are you back?', 'how are you?', 'injured again?'. It is difficult times, but it's behind me now so time to kick on.
“It was a bit of relief to get my first game at the weekend. It's been far too long, not good enough, but I finally got it out the way, felt I'd done okay in the game and the team done well, so something to build on and now I can remain positive because I'm ready for the rest of the season.”