Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara insisted they will not be feeling sorry for themselves over the absence of their star striker.
The Tangerines will take the field at Hampden on Sunday for their Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic minus Johnny Russell.
Russell himself had pinpointed the game as his possible comeback after fracturing his leg in a match against Inverness Caley Thistle on February 27.
He has had to admit defeat, though, with the clash against the Hoops coming a week or two too early for him.
It is a major blow but McNamara vowed that they will not let it affect them at the national stadium.
“Johnny will definitely be out he has no chance for Sunday,” was the Tannadice boss’ blunt message. “I wish I did have a decision to make over Johnny but that isn’t the case.
“It is one of those things. He is not ready and there is nothing we can do about it. I don’t know how far away he is from a return but I am hoping it will be in the next couple of weeks.
“But it is one of those ones where we need to see how he responds to the training and work he is doing. He has been missing for a few weeks now and we can’t cry about it we just have to get on with it and we will.”
The other big injury story surrounds central defender Brian McLean, who looks to have a slight chance of making it.
McNamara said: “We are still waiting to see how Brian responds to a wee bit of running he did with the physio. We will assess him further closer to the game.”
There has been a real determination from McNamara this week to keep a lid on the hype surrounding the game. That will continue almost up to kick-off.
“Our build-up hasn’t changed and we will be training here at St Andrews on Saturday then heading down to our hotel at night,” he said.
“The players are low-key and that’s how it should be. It is a big game with a lot at stake but I am trying to keep them as relaxed as possible until about an hour and a half before the match.”
As well as being a massive challenge for the United players given the opposition and venue, it is a big test for McNamara so early in his managerial career. If he can somehow help conjure up a victory when United haven’t beaten Celtic in Glasgow for more than two decades, he will be lauded by the fans.
And, with either Hibs or Falkirk awaiting the winners, who knows what success could lie ahead for him and his players?
Understandably, though, he is only concerning himself with the battle against his former club.
“I am looking forward to it,” he said. “It is a great occasion. I hope the lads can enjoy it and go out and match Celtic.
“It is a big challenge because they have a lot of players who can hurt you. The pressure is on them (Celtic) I think. The expectation is there for them.
“Celtic will have their pride and will be wanting to get into the final in order to finish the season on a high.
“There is a high expectation on the Celtic players but I think that is a good thing for them because it brought out the best in me when I was there.
“Their players have to handle that week in, week out and not just in semi-finals or finals. When you play at Celtic you need to win every game.
“That is something that I would like to instil here at United.
“It is important for us to go about the match in the correct manner. By that I mean that we should not regret anything at the end.
“We will have a go and see if we have enough to get to the final.”
For more build-up to the match, see Saturday’s Courier.