Dundee United’s Johnny Russell insists he will bounce back stronger than ever after what has been the worst weekend of his life.
The Scotland Under-21 star was sent off for the first time in his career at Tannadice on Saturday when he aimed a headbutt at Rangers player Kirk Broadfoot.
Russell has already apologised to his team-mates, club management and fans for his actions and as he picked up the Clydesdale Bank Premier League Young Player of the Month Award yesterday, he promised he will never let himself and the club down in a similar manner again.
He said: “I am honoured to win the award but it’s a bit embarrassing after what happened at the weekend.
“I embarrassed myself against Rangers and let the team down. I knew straight away what I’d done and that I deserved to be sent off for it.
“It was stupid, a moment of madness and it has stopped us getting anything from the game. It was a long walk to the dressing-room and I just wanted the ground to open up on me.Disappointing”That’s the first time I have ever been sent off at any level so to get it in such a big game and in the manner it happened was really disappointing.
“I didn’t know what to do so I just sat in the dressing-room with my kit on waiting for the boys to come back in after the game.
“I had my head in my hands. It was also live on television so I knew people would be watching it and I just felt embarrassed by my behaviour.
“I have no complaints. It wasn’t anything to do with Kirk Broadfoot it was all down to my stupidity. It has probably been the worst weekend of my life, really horrible.
“I was supposed to be going out into Glasgow on Saturday night for something to eat but I didn’t bother.
“Instead, I just stayed at Coatbridge out of sight. I will come through it stronger though. The lads and my family have been great with me.”OvershadowedRussell’s red card overshadowed what has been a great start to the season for the youngster.
He added: “I am pleased to win the award and from now on I just want people to be talking about me for positive things.
“With David Goodwillie going, I do feel I can step in, but I am happy to play anywhere for the team. I can play up front and wide so the manager knows he has a few options with me.”
Manager Peter Houston revealed that Russell has been hit in the pocket for being dismissed against Rangers.
However, the Tannadice gaffer believes that the financial pain did not hurt as much as the emotional torment the player was suffering in the aftermath of his sending off.
Houston said: “Johnny is a young boy and he made a mistake. I had a chat with him this morning and he’s full of remorse.
“I can say hand on heart that he won’t do it again. He has been fined but the bigger punishment is the way he’s feeling and the fact he’ll miss the game this weekend.
“We had no complaints about the red card but that’s not like him. He’s a great kid and he’s done really well for me.
“You can tell with players who know they have done wrong Johnny knows that what he did wasn’t right. He will bounce back from it and I’d bet he will not do it ever again.”