St Johnstone striker Peter MacDonald has called on the SFA to consider changing the disciplinary rules for the Scottish Cup to avoid players suffering the Hampden heartache he is about to experience.
“Being at Hampden for the semi-final will make it extra special as well.
“I am sure the boys will give it 100% and I will certainly be backing them all the way.
“I have been to four semis and we have lost every one. Hopefully, the lads can make up for those previous disappointments.”
Meanwhile, Saints midfielder Murray Davidson left for Scotland’s training base in La Manga, Spain where they are preparing for Sunday’s glamour friendly against Brazil in London with good wishes ringing in his ears.
“Murray has been top-notch for us and I just hope he gets a chance to show what he can do,” added MacDonald.
“The boys have all been buzzing for him and he is so looking forward to it, so we wish him all the best.”
A late booking in Tuesday’s quarter-final replay win over Brechin, dished out for a foul on City defender Gerry McLauchlan, has been added to the yellow card he collected in the previous round to rule him out of Saints’ semi-final date with either Dundee United or Motherwell on April 16 at the national stadium.
MacDonald feels the first caution given in the dying moments for diving when apparently chopped down by Partick Thistle defender Alan Archibald should be reviewed as he was innocent of any offence, while he also believes it is harsh that two yellows should rob anyone of involvement in such a major occasion.
“I think the SFA should have a look at the first one because that was never a booking when I was supposed to have dived against Thistle,” said the frontman, who played a big part in the club’s crucial 1-0 home win over City.
“I think that should be rescinded because it is not every year you get the chance to play in a semi-final at Hampden.
“Were it people who had played football, maybe they would change the rules, but it is people who have not played the game who are deciding everything.
“I remember a few years ago when it happened to (now Dunfermline manager) Jim McIntyre. He got booked in the semi-final. It was a wrong booking but he still missed the final. So this is not just about me. I don’t think it will affect me until Hampden on the day of the game.
“I will be sick but it is up to the SFA to look to change the rules so that players aren’t punished like this.”Hard done byAs well as claiming he was hard done by in the Jags tie, MacDonald argued that there was no intent on his part to hurt McLauchlan. He tried to plead his case with official Steve Conroy at the time but his appeal was ignored.
“I tried to pull out of the tackle but the referee said I still got him, but I don’t know,” he said. “I took the ball on my chest and was staring at it before trying to toe-poke it away.
“I said to the ref, ‘Please don’t book me because I will be suspended and I didn’t mean it-I was pulling out of the challenge.’
“He replied, ‘You still hit him’ and booked me. Maybe I did catch him I don’t know but there was no intent in it.”
MacDonald is now praying that his team-mates can make it all the way to the final in May to give him a shot at glory.
“I am gutted but hopefully the boys can get me through to the final,” he added. “We fancy ourselves against anyone when we can get the ball down and play.
Continued…