It might not have looked too pretty in the mirror, but Steven MacLean’s bandaged head at the weekend didn’t concern the St Johnstone comeback striker in the slightest.
For a player who has had more than his fair share of serious surgery over the years, a bit of cosmetic work doesn’t hold any fears.
MacLean was given running repairs to his head wound during Saturday’s Tayside derby, but it won’t keep him out of action against Aberdeen on Thursday.
And, more importantly, neither will the knee that has twice been operated on.
The former Dons’ frontman said: “I got caught by an elbow high on the forehead and needed to get it glued up. It’s not a problem.
“It was good to be back, and it was a great result for us. We showed what we are all about, we fought to the end and played some decent stuff.
“I did feel a bit rusty in the first half but that is to be expected I suppose after four months out.
“I felt better as the game wore on. It was good to get 90 minutes.
“The gaffer just said go out and see how you feel. My fitness was fine and the knee isn’t a problem. It was the coordination that was bit out but that will come.
“The most important thing is that I feel good in myself.
“It’s up to the manager if he wants me to play on Thursday. But I won’t have a problem if he wants me to start against Aberdeen. I’ll be ready.
“It’s not in my DNA to say no in these situations. I want to play football. If I am fit I am ready to go.”
A trip to Pittodrie would fill most teams with dread given Aberdeen’s impressive form that has taken them to within two points of leaders’ Celtic.
But as they’ve won six out of six themselves, that won’t be the case with Saints.
“We are on a great run,” MacLean pointed out. “It is a great achievement for the squad. But why not go up to Aberdeen and make it seven wins in a row? That’s the way we are looking at it.
“We knew this was going to be a tough spell for us, playing the other top six teams.
“The Celtic game is off but we have come through the first two with six points so let’s see what we can do against Aberdeen and Hamilton. Then we can see where we are.
“If we can keep winning we will get closer and closer.”
And the fact that the goals are being spread throughout the team also bodes well, according to MacLean.
He said: “Mikey (O’Halloran) is on a great run and now we even have wee Midgie getting on the scoresheet.
“It was brilliant in the dressing room celebrating the win and his goal. You’d have thought we had won the cup again! I was chuffed for him because he has been outstanding for us this season. Let’s hope he can get a few more.”