CHRIS Burke says he is determined to make the most of his chance at Kilmarnock after fearing health problems might spell the end of his playing career.
The former Rangers winger has penned a one-year deal at Rugby Park after convincing former Ibrox team-mate Lee McCulloch he is over the worst of his tribulations.
Burke returned to Scotland last September to sign for Ross County after seven years down south.
But his stint in Dingwall was just six games old when he was struck down by a viral illness.
It proved to be a hugely frustrating experience for the 33-year-old former Scotland international as he sat out the remainder of the campaign, with his symptoms sporadically improving then deteriorating – sometimes even on a daily basis.
He even confessed that, during one dark moment, he worried he may have to hang up his boots for good.
But now that he has shaken off the infection, Burke is keen to make up for lost time.
He said: “There was times when it did get me down because all I know is playing football. It’s all I’ve done since I was a kid and I’m fortunate enough that I’ve gone on to become a professional footballer.
“Throughout that whole time I’ve been lucky enough to be fit.
“But then all of a sudden, something hits you like the illness I had and I was just floored. I couldn’t do anything. I’d try to come back and It’d just floor me again.
“There was times when I did think, ‘Am I going to get better?’ You know what us guys are like when we get the old man flu. But what I had was 20 times worse. But hopefully I’ve come through the end of it now.
“What I will say is that I will appreciate having football in my life so much more now after what I’ve been through these last eight months.”
In total, the former Cardiff, Birmingham and Nottingham Forest forward and managed just six appearances for County, but Burke has thanked Staggies boss Jim McIntyre for standing by him as he went through his long period of convalescence.
Burke – who also missed a year of action while at Gers when he contracted another mystery virus after fainting at Aberdeen on the opening day of the 2004/05 season – said: “It just seems to be that I get viruses when I come back to Scotland.
“It was just unfortunate. I came back to County after so long away and was enjoying my football again. I can’t say a bad word about that club and would like to thank them for everything they did for me.
“But it takes times time to get yourself well again when you go through something like this.
“Fortunately I’ve managed to get myself re-booted now and have done most of pre-season with Kilmarnock. I’m still looking to gain full fitness. I’m not 100 per cent but I’m getting there.
“I just hope there will be no set-backs and I can start enjoying my football again.”
Burke was handed his debut by McCulloch just two hours after completing his move as he was thrown on during Tuesday night’s 4-2 Betfred Cup win over Clyde.
“It all happened very quickly so I was delighted to play a part in the game,” he said.
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