DEFENDER Jamie McCormack says he is ready to resurrect his fledgling footballing career by grabbing hold of the lifeline thrown to him by Morton manager Kenny Shiels.

The right-back joined Ton last month after he was left on the soccer scrapheap by English Championship outfit Wigan Athletic.

After 13 months out with a cruciate ligament injury, his contract at the DW Stadium was not renewed and Shiels moved to snap him up after a successful trial.

McCormack insists he has worked hard to put his injury misery behind him and instead focus his attention on getting back to the level he was operating at before suffering the setback.

The 22-year-old, who has made five successive starts since signing, told the Tele: “Most recently I was at Wigan for two years. I joined them after coming through the youth system at Hearts.

“Things went well in the first year but in my second year I did the cruciate in my knee and I was out for 13 months with that.

“It was hell, really depressing, and you need the right people around you to get you through it. Thankfully I had that.

“Wigan were good to me as they put me through the best rehab possible.

“But I was a bit disappointed to be released after my contract ran out.

“I thought I still had a bit more I could have done there.

“I could have played a few reserve games to see what happened depending on how I did.

"But that’s life, isn’t it? It’s been a blessing in disguise because I’m out playing first-team football now and that’s better for me.

“My agent got in contact with Kenny and he brought me in. He’s given me a lifeline to be fair because I haven’t played in over a year. Kenny said they were looking for a right-back and I was just looking to start playing football again. It’s been great to get a chance to play somewhere.

“It’s been really good at Morton, a good experience for me to be playing first-team football. We’re starting to get on a run now and I think we’ll kick on from here.” Although he has relished his involvement with Morton, McCormack has not been entirely satisfied on an individual level and says he has still to show what he is truly capable of at Cappielow.

He added: “I’m still getting there. I’m still rusty. People told me it will take about six months to get back to where I was before I suffered the injury. It’s difficult when you’ve been out for that long.

“I was knackered after my first game and your decision- making is poor as a result of that. But that’s something that will come in time. It is about getting fit and getting back to your best. There’s more to come from me. I’ll get better as the games go on and the fitter I get. I’m sure it will all click into place.”