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St Johnstone’s Richard Foster embarrassed by Danny Swanson bust-up

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Embarrassment was Richard Foster’s strongest emotion in the aftermath of his bust-up with St Johnstone team-mate Danny Swanson.

As soon as the pair of them had calmed down in the Hamilton Accies away dressing room, the stupidity of what had happened between two seniors pros dawned on them both.

In the short-term there was guilt that Saints went on to lose the match.

In the long-term, Foster was prepared to accept whatever punishment came his way.

But the former Aberdeen and Rangers man admitted that explaining to his young son why dad had been red carded wasn’t easy.

He said: “We were told not to go upstairs because photographers would be looking for us. So the two of us sat in the dressing room quietly for five or 10 minutes before we got up and gave each other a hug.

“We realised we had both been stupid. There is no animosity at all. We get on fine and the boys in the dressing room have been great.

“Obviously there were a few jokes flying around afterwards. The dressing is great for that. But there has been no grudges held because of what happened.

“We felt bad enough because we knew we let down the team. They were left with nine men and lost the game. But the players realised there was no point in giving us any more stick.

“In my opinion the club have dealt with it very well. They have been open and honest with me and Danny at all times. They had an investigation, they came to us and said what the punishment was going to be and we move on.

“There was never any thought we were going to appeal. We knew ourselves we were in the wrong. Whatever punishment the club deemed fit was the one we would pay.

“We are both glad the incident didn’t result in us being sacked.”

Foster added: “We are massively embarrassed by what happened. Embarrassment was the over-riding feeling, letting yourself get into a situation like that which should never really happen.

“Danny has kids and I have a six-year-old boy who is just getting into football. It was difficult trying to explain to him why I wasn’t playing. Thankfully he was away on holiday so he missed most of it.

“I have read comments saying that in others walk of life we would have been sacked instantly but football is different. I am not condoning what happened but football is different. It is a very emotive game. In other jobs you don’t have thousands of people watching and commenting on your every move and having the spotlight from the press.

“The emotions spilled over that day. It spills over every week in every game.  But it tends to be towards the other team, the referee or whatever. Look at the Ross County-Celtic game on Sunday. There were bodies flying everywhere after the Scott Brown tackle and red card.

“Danny and I should have sorted out our differences in the dressing room, we know that.

“There was a flashpoint but nothing would have happened even by the time we had got to the tunnel.

“It would have been a screaming match, an argument, nothing more if the game had gone on for another minute or two. But we were right there at each other when the half-time whistle blew.”

Foster has been one of Saints’ best players this season and he is determined that the campaign will finish with fourth place being secured and hopefully a spot in the Europa League qualifiers to go with it.

“At the start of the season top six was the aim,” he said. “I think we knew we’d get it a few weeks ago. But now we are fourth and depending on what way the cup goes there could be a Europa League spot available.

“At Rangers we played in the Champions League and then dropped into the Europa League. I also played in the Europa League with Aberdeen. So I know first-hand what a great experience it is to be involved in Europe.

“It is definitely in our sights now. We are in a position where Hearts have to catch us. But we have five tough games coming up, starting at Pittodrie.”