Dundee United wide man Jeno Myrie-Williams is determined to put his red-card nightmare behind him and clinch an Active Nation Scottish Cup final place.
The former Bristol City player was ordered off against Celtic 10 days ago and he had to sit out the next match against Rangers because of suspension.
Myrie-Williams is back in the fold for United’s final away league game of the season tonight against Hearts at Tynecastle and, after fearing he may have blown his chance of making it to the May 15 showpiece against Ross County, the Englishman is raring to go.
“I now have two games to try and win a place in the final team,” he said. “When I got sent off the other week I was devastated.
“I worried that it could cost me my chance to play at Hampden, so the games coming up against Hearts and Hibs are massive, with everyone keen to try to show the manager they are worthy of a place in the final.
“Hearts are still going for Europe so it will be competitive and that is what we need. They are playing for something and so are we so it is going to be interesting.”
Myrie-Williams insists there is a real feel-good factor at Tannadice and he and his colleagues have been taken aback by cup final ticket sales of approximately 26,000.
“I came here with an open mind and didn’t know what to expect but I didn’t think for a minute that in my first season we would get into Europe and into a cup final,” he said.
“The lads are well aware of what the next two weeks means to the club and the ticket sales have been amazing, with still a while to go.Talking point”I meet fans all the time in the city, in the shops and in the street, and the chance of winning the cup is all they talk about.
“We were at a supporters’ function recently and they left the lads in no doubt, win the cup and we will become legends. We can write some history for ourselves, that is how big it is.”
United coach Paul Hegarty, standing in for gaffer Peter Houston who was on a scouting mission in England, revealed the players are so keen to prepare for the final that he has had to tell them to calm down.
The last thing the Tangerines want is to pick up any injuries, so while they remain working at a high tempo, Hegarty has warned against taking it too far.
“The lads have been flying and, to be honest, we are having to tell them to pull back a bit,” Hegarty said. “Their attitude is smashing, they are all desperate to play their part and you can see that with the way they are training.
“But as coaches you have to make sure you don’t pick up injuries so sometimes we have to put the reins on them.
“I have been back here for three months now and their attitude has been like that all along.
“I am loving every minute of it, everyone knows this is my club. I spent 16 years at Tannadice as a player and then more time on the coaching staff.
“I was delighted to be asked back when Peter got the job, it is an honour to be here because this club is my first love.
“Also, when you are working with players who are so keen to learn, it makes every day enjoyable.”
United are without the injured Danny Cadamarteri and Paul Dixon, while striker Francisco Sandaza’s season is already over.
Michael Stewart will not be in the Hearts squad, with manager Jim Jefferies admitting he does not know if the midfielder has played his last game for the club after his reaction to being substituted at the weekend.
Deposed captain Stewart, who is out of contract in the summer, angered Jefferies with his reaction to being substituted against Motherwell.
Stewart’s successor as skipper, Marius Zaliukas is expected to shake off a thigh strain, but David Obua and Laryea Kingston serve one-match bans, while Andrew Driver, Jose Goncalves, Marian Kello, Janos Balogh and Mark Ridgers are all doubtful.