Dundee United captain Sean Dillon says Nadir Ciftci was devastated following his dismissal in the 2-2 draw with Hamilton.
The big striker was already on a yellow card when he foolishly handled the ball into the Accies net just before half-time to earn himself a red in Saturday’s match.
Ciftci will now have to sit out this weekend’s eagerly-awaited sell-out derby at Dens, which is a hammer blow for the player and the Tangerines.
Dillon said: “I don’t really want to go into it too much because he knows himself.
“He has already been round the dressing-room which shows he knows what he has done isn’t right.
“It is just one of those things it was a silly thing to do.
“I don’t want to get on his case about it because I can tell by speaking to him just how disappointed he is.
“Unfortunately for him, he is going to be punished and will miss the derby. That’s a big punishment in itself for him without anyone else getting on him.”
Dillon added: “I have had a little chat with him about it.
“I get on well with Nadir and I have had many conversations with him about different things.
“I think he has been excellent for us. Everyone will have a different opinion but he knows it shouldn’t have happened.
“It’s bad enough for us that he won’t be available for the derby but for him it is a big thing as it is a huge game to play in.
“Everyone who is at the club wants to be part of that so I am disappointed for him.”