Missing out on the League Cup semi-final is all the motivation Steven MacLean needs as St Johnstone strive to reach the same stage of the Scottish Cup.
Recovering from knee surgery, the striker was forced to watch from the sidelines as Saints went down to Aberdeen at Tynecastle last month and that was agony in itself.
But MacLean has since made a successful comeback after completing his rehab and says he is ready to face Raith in tomorrow’s quarter-final.
“It would be massive for me if we could get to the semi-finals,” he said.
“Once the surgeon told me I couldn’t play in the League Cup I was devastated but obviously knowing that we were still in the Scottish Cup and still had a good chance, it drove me on to get fit again and do my bit.
“I’d love to play in the semi-final but I’d love to play in a final as well, so first and foremost we’ve got to try and get past Raith in the quarter-finals.
“It’s going to be a tough game because they put Hibs out, so we know we’re in for a tough game. We’ll need to be at our best to beat them.”
The 31-year-old will be available for selection at Stark’s Park despite his sending off in the league at Pittodrie last Saturday.
MacLean added: “I’m relieved I can play in this game, although to be honest I was just a bit gutted getting sent off. At the time you aren’t sure, and when you watch the second incident back I thought it was a bit harsh.
“I’ve no complaints about the first booking, but I just thought the second one was a bit harsh. It’s one of those things and you just have to get on with it.
“At first when I got sent off I thought I might be missing the quarter-final but it didn’t take too long to sink in that I wouldn’t.
“The gaffer said straight away that I was banned for the Dundee United game, so it was a bit of a relief in a way.
“As I say, I missed the semi so I really want to try and help us against Raith, get to the semi and then get to the final if we can.”
A quarter-final appearance would cap a fairly eventful fortnight for MacLean, who marked his return from injury with two goals against Motherwell before the sending off at Aberdeen.
“That’s football for you you go from such a high to such a low in the space of a few days,” he added.
“It’s one of those things over the space of a 12-year career you have lots of highs and lots of lows so you just get on with it. It’s gone on Sunday morning.
“I was a bit gutted on Saturday night but you get it out of your mind and look forward to the next game.”
MacLean does not know too many of his opponents but is looking forward to being reacquainted with Raith midfielder Kevin Moon, who used to ply his trade in Perth.
He added: “It will be nice to see him, but hopefully he won’t be happy after the game.”