There will be no fixing Nigel Hasselbaink’s shiny new boot which was finished off by the studs-up lunge from Kilmarnock’s Manuel Pascali on Saturday.
The St Johnstone winger’s badly bruised foot will be back on a football pitch soon, he hopes preferably at McDiarmid Park this evening for the visit of Hibs.
The Perth attacker, who had to be substituted as a result of the red-card tackle, had his boot ripped and he revealed the new footwear had barely been christened.
”I only got the boots last week and Saturday was the first time I’d worn them in a game,” he said.
”They were Nike and they are £80 but I’d spoken to the Nike guy and he got a discount for me.
”They are wide open now, ripped right along the side.
”I won’t be able to wear them anymore, unless someone has a spare right one lying about they want to give me, although I might take them back and complain because they should last for more than just one game. Maybe I’ll get a refund!”
It will be a late call for manager Steve Lomas on whether to include the Dutchman in his squad for tonight’s match.
Hasselbaink explained: ”My foot is bruised and still quite sore. I didn’t train on Monday to give it a rest so I’m hoping that will work and I’ll be fit for Hibs.
”I tried to play on during the Killie game but it was getting sore so I said to the manager that I’d probably have to come off.
”It wasn’t anyone’s fault, I don’t think there was anything bad from Pascali. I think he got the ball and caught me too,” said Hasselbaink.
”It was just a tackle and the referee decided to send him off, sometimes that happens.
”The Kilmarnock fans were not happy with me but I don’t understand why.
”I didn’t ask the referee to send him off, it wasn’t my decision. The referee decided what he was going to do and that was it, nothing to do with me. He was the one who gave the red card.”
A home win will take Saints above the Easter Road club in the table, and possibly even higher, such is the congestion at the top of the SPL.
”It would be massive if we beat Hibs,” Hasselbaink pointed out.
”It’s a really big game for both teams because we are up near the top of the league and three points would take us even higher.
”We have been talking about in in the dressing-room, saying that it’s a big chance for us to push on further up the table.
”But we know it’s not going to be easy because Hibs are a good team and they have been doing well. They beat us the last time but I think that defeat was a bit harsh on us.
”We felt frustrated the last time we played against Hibs because we created a lot of chances but didn’t take them. And they were clinical against us, so managed to win the game.
”We felt we deserved more from the game that day because of the way we played but it’s all about taking your chances.
”Last weekend, against Kilmarnock, we were probably a bit lucky to win because of the late goal.
”That makes up for a bit of bad luck we have had this season so hopefully the good fortune will stay with us from now on.”
Manager Steve Lomas said: ”Nigel missed training on Monday because his foot is still bruised and sore. So we’ll have to wait and see how he is.
”But, to be honest, I think he’s more gutted about the boots because they were brand new! They were lovely with a nice pink sole he loved them.
”So if anyone has a spare size seven right boot with a pink sole then send them in for him because he’s moping around!”
Hibs captain James McPake and fellow defender Tim Clancy will miss the match.