Young Perth Glory Scott Neville concedes the heart problem that saw him forced off the field a few weeks ago may be something he needs to manage for most of his career.
Given the captain’s arm band in the absence of suspended skipper Jacob Burns against the Mariners on December 12, the reliable Neville was forced off in the first 20 minutes after feeling an irregular heart beat.
Neville said he still needs further tests to determine if he needs medication to manage the arrhythmia but the 22-year-old is confident it won’t affect his performances for the Glory.
“(It was) just an irregular heartbeat, so it’s pulsating too fast and you’re kind of short of breath and a bit wheezy,” said Neville when asked to describe the feeling when forced off during the 1-1 draw with Central Coast.
“I’ve just got to get some more tests done in the new year to see what type of medications I need to take, but everything’s fine.”
“It’s something that comes and goes unexpectedly. The tests sometimes don’t show up when they’re going to come, (so) it could be once every six months, it could be once every three months or it might not come again for a couple of years.”
“I’ve just got to make sure I do all the right things and go for the tests to make sure everything’s good.”
“(But), it’s only happened once before and the doctor said it’s pretty rare, so hopefully it doesn’t happen again.”
Neville said he’s been thrilled to have taken on the captain’s arm band, wearing it with distinction against Adelaide United last month before his untimely send off against the Mariners.
“Obviously I’m still quite young and learning the game. (But) to get that experience was great and I really appreciated it,” he said.
“If the opportunity comes about I would never say no, but I don’t put myself out there to be a leader.”
“I think it just comes natural. If the opportunity comes around I would more than happy to take it but at the moment I’m just concentrating on the team.”
