Injured St Johnstone defender Dave Mackay has not given up hope of being fit for Saturday’s League Cup semi-final, but has vowed to play a captain’s role whatever his fate.
Mackay, who is one of three Saints players doubtful for the clash with Hibs, said: “I’ve been struggling a little bit the last couple of weeks with a little stiffness in my hip. It has been restricting me a little bit. Hopefully it clears up in time for the semi but if not I will just have to deal with it.
“I had surgery in the summer on my hip and it’s been great up until recently. I don’t know if it’s the surface that we have had to train on, the soft ground, whether that’s a factor, but it probably just needs a bit of rest to recover. I never really had a full pre-season so it has maybe just caught up with me.
“The physio has been working on me the last few weeks and it’s been improving slightly, but when you play a game you’re really struggling to move for a couple of days after.
“I don’t think it’s related to the surgery, it’s just general tightness and it feels muscular. It will settle down, it’s just whether it settles down quickly enough.”
The 35-year-old added: “I will still be in the dressing room before the game if I’m not available, we will be away on the Friday staying in a hotel and I’ll be there as well.
“I will still try and play as big a part as possible. Hopefully I don’t miss the game but if I do I will try and be there to support the guys as much as I can.”