Dundee United skipper Sean Dillon insists he harbours no self-pity after his Hampden heartache instead it his team-mates and nearest and dearest he feels sorry for.
The Tangerines skipper was a pivotal figure as United lost to Celtic in the League Cup Final to a first-half goal by Kris Commons with sub James Forrest netting a second for the Hoops after the break.
Dillon was off the field having stitches in a shin injury after Virgil van Dijk had caught him in a challenge at the time Commons scored the opener.
A bad afternoon then became much worse for the Irishman when he was shown a straight red in the 56th minute by referee Bobby Madden for a reckless challenge on Emilio Izaguirre.
Dillon said: “It is very frustrating but I’m just disappointed.
“It (Van Dijk’s challenge) was quite painful at the time. Jeff the physio and the two docs did a great job.
“They stitched me up sharp enough.
“I am not going to exaggerate it but it is a big gash.
“I needed seven stitches and it is maybe three inches long.
“I think he has left his leg in. I didn’t like it.
“I get the ball and he gets my leg.
“It is a bad gash. I certainly wasn’t sitting around the dressing-room chilling out.
“As soon as it was done I was out. But they needed time to make sure it was done right.
“I am obviously grateful they did it to allow me back out onto the pitch but I don’t even last the game.”
He added: “At my red card, I am chasing my first touch.
“I am just trying to get it. There is no malice in it, I am not trying to hurt the boy, not at all.
“But because it is a little bit high I am giving him (the referee) the opportunity to send me off and I have to take responsibility for that.
“I don’t think I hurt him. I’m not even sure if I got him but like I said, I need to take responsibility.
“I honestly thought he was going to give me yellow. That’s what I was expecting but he has consulted with his linesman and it is him who gives the decision.
“He took his time on it.
“After I went off I was watching the game and I thought the lads coped and were excellent.
“So I am devastated for them.
“I feel for them more than I do for myself.
“I feel sorry for the lads, the gaffer, the staff, my missus, my son, my mum and dad who were over for the game. Those are the ones I feel for.”
The whole day could have turned out so differently for United if they had been awarded what looked like a stonewall spot-kick in the 36th minute when Scott Brown barged into Ryan Dow in the Celtic penalty area.
Mr Madden did not give it but Dillon insisted the United players are certain it was a penalty.
He said: “I was too far away to say if it was or it wasn’t.
“But speaking to the boys and Dowser, he feels it was a penalty.
“But that’s what happens. Those are sometimes the decisions you don’t get.
“They have turned out to be big decisions for us.
“I don’t want to go down the sour grapes route.
“I want to congratulate them, of course. They have won the cup and well done to them.
“But when we look at it, there are certain decisions that have gone against us today.”