The League Cup ticket fiasco has fired up St Johnstone to make sure they get to the final.
Perth striker Steven MacLean, who has signed a new contract with the McDiarmid Park club, described the SPFL’s handling of the ticketing arrangements for tomorrow’s semi-final against Hibs as “outrageous”.
MacLean and manager Tommy Wright revealed the Saints players are determined to win the game for the three-and-a-half thousand inside Tynecastle, and the hundreds of others who have been denied a chance to go.
“The number of St Johnstone fans in the ground doesn’t affect us as players,” MacLean said.
“But we really feel for them.
“It’s outrageous to be honest. Could you imagine the reaction if it wasn’t St Johnstone?
“Hopefully we can go to Tynecastle and win the game for the supporters who are there and the ones who couldn’t get a ticket.
“And if we get to a final I’m sure there won’t be a problem getting a ticket for that.
“It’s an added incentive for us to try and make it right for them and make sure there’s a game for them to go to in March.
“I’m sure the fans would want to sample a Hampden final. They’ve had a semi there but not a final.
“But we’ll take care of Saturday’s game before we start thinking about finals.”
Wright added: “It’s disappointing when a promise was made for extra tickets. And it’s disappointing that it takes five days before the game to make a decision.
“Surely the decision could have been made and we could have been informed earlier.
“But it always seems the smaller clubs, historically, get the rough end of the stick. That’s just the nature of the business we’re in.
“We’ve fought our corner on it. Sometimes in these situations it’s OK for people to put their hands up and say there has been a mistake because people respect you for it.
“I fully support and back the chairman’s statement. We are a small club and these type of things always seem to go against the smaller clubs.
“But one thing is for sure, the chairman, myself and the players will stand up for our club and for our supporters.
“Let’s hope they can go and make as much noise as possible. I think there has been talk of protests but I wouldn’t bother. It’s not worth it, just go and support the team.
“Making as much noise as possible is the best protest. We know our place in football but we won’t be trodden on. We’ll stand up and fight our corner.
“If we can get to Hampden I don’t think there will be a ticket issue. We’ll be trying to get there.
“We’re so close to getting into another final, as are Hibs. We’re playing against a good side who are going for a treble.
“We know it’s going to be difficult but we’ll be ready come Saturday and are going to give it everything we’ve got.”