Peterhead front-man Derek Lyle turned 40 yesterday and he was warned by Blue Toon boss Jim McInally not to mark the milestone by announcing his retirement from the game.
Lyle who is best known for scoring 117 goals for Queen of the South during three stints at the club, started his career at Partick Thistle in 1999 and he found the net for the Jags as well as for East Stirling, Stirling Albion, Dundee, Hamilton Accies, Morton and Cowdenbeath before heading to Balmoor in 2018
The goal-grabber mentioned recently that this season could be his last however McInally is determined that Lyle will be in his plans for a while longer as he explained: “Derek mentioned that turning 40 may well be the time to hang up his boots but I told him that I am not having it. He is his biggest critic and he feels that he has not contributed as much this season as he would have liked as he has not been fit enough but I blame the pandemic for that.”
“Derek was a full-time player for 20 years and prided himself on his fitness. Even when he came here, he still trained with Queen of the South however he has not been able to do that this season due to covid-19 restrictions.”
“When Derek mentioned stopping, I told him to take a step back and realise what he brings to Peterhead. He is a big part of the squad and has played in nearly every game this season. The players look up to him. And I use him for coaching our strikers as well as involving him in discussions over team selection. So, in short he is too valuable to Peterhead to leave any time soon.”
“Hopefully he has recognised all that and be involved with us for a good while longer.”
