Johnny Russell has put smiles back on the faces of Dundee United fans by revealing his Hampden dream could still be alive.
It was a Blue Monday to follow a Super Sunday for the Tannadice faithful when their joy at beating Dundee in the William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final at Dens turned to despair 24 hours later on hearing of Russell’s serious injury.
A fracture to the in-form frontman’s left leg suffered during last midweek’s draw up at Inverness seemed to have called time on his season, ruling him out of the SPL run-in as well as the last-four cup clash with Celtic at the national stadium next month.
However, Russell last night declared himself ready to try to face the Hoops after being given a recovery timescale of four to six weeks.
That arithmetic makes it just possible that he could make it to Hampden and he will certainly try.
“It was a shock when I found out about the fracture,” said Russell, who walked into United’s St Andrews training base, albeit wearing a protective boot.
“I had done a fitness test on Sunday morning and it was too sore for me to be able to play.
“I went for an X-ray on Monday just as a precaution really and when the results came back there was a fracture there. It was a tough one to take, especially now that we are coming to the business end of the season.
“We are still aiming to get into the top six as well as being in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup and I am gutted that I am going to be sidelined for some of the run-in.
“Even though I am gutted to be missing any games, the timescale of four to six weeks isn’t the worst.
“I am glad it’s not too serious. So a month to six weeks is what I am aiming for and I am usually a quick healer.
“Hopefully, I can get back as soon as possible and still play a big part for the team before the end of the season.”
As for the tackle that did all the damage, Russell declined to criticise opponent Josh Meekings.
“I don’t hold grudges,” he said. “I said at the time that it wasn’t a bad tackle it was just a heavy one.”
Meanwhile, United boss Jackie McNamara agreed with Russell’s own assessment that he has a chance for Hampden.
“The news about Johnny wasn’t great,” said McNamara. “It’s a bit of a blow but that’s football.
“We are hoping to have him back in four to six weeks so he might have a chance for the semi-final.
“He was desperate to play on Sunday. I knew it was a sore one against Inverness but he must have a high pain threshold because he’s tried to run it off. We’ll just have to see how he heals.
“The positive thing is that it’s not displaced, there’s nothing needing done to it and nature will take its course.”