Gareth Sciberras set for return

by Ayrton Galea - 21st November 2014

Senior Team's Captain Gareth Sciberras has passed three frustrating months ruled out injured, but he is on the verge of returning to playing competitive football. We spoke with him a few hours before the start of the second round match against Pieta Hotspurs FC.

Considered as a role-model for most of the younger players, Gareth has enjoyed a brilliant three-year spell with our Club before renewing his contract for another two years this June. However, his second spell started on the wrong foot when, he suffered a broken leg in the first match of the UEFA Europa League against Diasgyori VTK of Hungary.

The wait has finally came to an end for Gareth and he said, “I have been training with the squad for the last two weeks, working hard on gaining my fitness and also getting used to playing again. I am looking forward to playing competitive football again and just to be part of the squad.”

Have completed the first round of the BOV Premier League, the Stripes are struggling to keep consistency as they lie ten points behind leaders Hibernians FC. Gareth said “It has been a roller coaster ride till now. The team has played some fantastic football but sometimes our level of play and concentration has been poor. Consistency is a major part of challenging for the league, and that is something we are addressing.”

Facing one of the newly-promoted sides, Birkirkara start as favourites to regain their winning touch and start the second round commitments on a positive note. We asked Gareth how the squad is preparing for the match, and he said “Preparation has been as usual. We have had a good two week period were the coach has addressed a few issues, the only thing is that we had the national team players on duty so we just gathered all together last Tuesday. We will be facing another tough test by a very energetic team composed of some interesting youngsters.”

Lacking from concentration and consistency, one might begin to doubt if this year's squad has what it really takes to challenge for the title. Gareth said, “Of course we believe in winning the title. We all still believe that it is a reachable target. This is a long journey but we have to stop dropping points and keep up the pressure on the leaders.”

Missing from the Birkirkara's trophy cabinet for six years, Gareth states the Malta FA Trophy is also a Club's target especially following failing to progress in the competition in the last years. “‘Birkirkara always start the season with all the major honours as our target. We are determined to go as far as possible in the trophy as this is one cup which we have failed to progress in the last couple of years.”

With Gareth we also talked about his personal targets both as an individual, and as the captain of the team. “Personally for me is to be free from injury and to get back to my best condition. But as Captain of Birkirkara I want to see our Team challenge for all domestic honours and at the end the season achieve what we deserve.”

Finally, Gareth concluded this interview with a message to the Birkirkara supporters. “ I understand the frustration that might arise when things are not so bright, however that is the time when a player would need backing and support . Therefore, I encourage you to get behind the team because we all want to succeed and to succeed we have to be united - supporters/players/technical team/committee... One Club!”

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