Foster: I feared the axe after moment of madness
I have learned from my mistake and will keep a lid on it in future
ST Johns Tone sinner Richard Foster feared the axe could fall at Perth after trading blows with team-mate Danny swanson.
The pair were hit with a twogame ban and hammered in the pocket by club chiefs after the probe into a shock flare-up which triggered two red cards and a 1-0 defeat for nine-man saints at hamilton.
Breaking his silence for the first time yesterday, former Aberdeen, Rangers and Ross County defender Foster, 31, admitted he had never felt so low as when waiting for saints to deliver their verdict.
‘It was all a blur, it happened so quickly and it was over in an instant. A lot of what I remember is actually from footage on the TV,’ he said.
‘It was an unfortunate incident which me and Danny are deeply sorry for and deeply regret. But thankfully we were both back involved on saturday against Aberdeen.
‘You speak to people after it happened and they reassure you it won’t end up in a sacking. They said it was going to be a fine.
‘You justify it to yourself with them. But when you are on your own you begin thinking about the worst case scenario. You could have made a right pig’s ear of it.
‘You sit on your own and think you could have thrown it all away. It does hurt. Anyone thinking that week I had off while suspended was easy is way wrong. It was the worst period of my career.
‘But you get through it and come out stronger at the other side. I know it won’t happen again in any situation I am involved in. I have learned from my mistake and will keep a lid on it in future.
‘I feel myself I’ve had a good season, consistently reaching a level of performance I have been happy with. I get on well with everyone here. I love playing for the club and the management team, the players and the fans have been great to me. That is why it was even more ridiculous.’
Foster revealed peace broke out quickly with swanson while short-handed colleagues played out the second half in hamilton.
‘We were told not to go upstairs because photographers would be looking for us. so the two of us sat in the dressing room quietly for five or 10 minutes before we got up and gave each other a hug.
‘We realised we had both been stupid. There is no animosity at all. We get on fine and the boys in the dressing room have been great.
‘obviously there were a few jokes flying around afterwards. The dressing room is great for that. But there has been no grudges held because of what happened.
‘We felt bad enough because we knew we let down the team. They were left with nine men and lost the game. But the players realised there was no point in giving us any more stick.
‘In my opinion, the club have dealt with it very well. They have been open and honest with me and Danny at all times. They had an investigation, they came to us and said what the punishment was going to be and we move on.
‘There was never any thought we were going to appeal. We knew we were in the wrong. Whatever punishment the club deemed fit was the one we would pay.
‘We are both glad the incident didn’t result in us being sacked.
‘embarrassment was the overriding feeling, letting yourself get into a situation like that which should never really happen.
‘Danny has kids and I have a sixyear-old boy who is just getting into football. It was difficult trying to explain to him why I wasn’t playing. Thankfully he was away on holiday so he missed most of it.
‘I have read comments saying that in other walks of life we would have been sacked instantly but football is different.
‘I am not condoning what happened but football is different. It is a very emotive game.
‘In other jobs you don’t have thousands of people watching and commenting on your every move and having the spotlight from the Press.
‘The emotions spilled over that day. It spills over every week in every game. But it tends to be towards the other team, the referee or whatever.
‘Look at the Ross County-Celtic game on sunday. There were bodies flying everywhere after the scott Brown tackle and red card.
‘Danny and I should have sorted out our differences in the dressing room, we know that.
‘There was a flashpoint but nothing would have happened even by the time we had got to the tunnel.
‘It would have been a screaming match, an argument, nothing more if the game had gone on for another minute or two. But we were right there at each other when the half-time whistle blew.’
With the dust now settled, Foster admits saints are going into the post-split fixtures with europe in their sights.
‘We are fourth and, depending on what way the cup goes, there could be a europa League spot available,’ he added.
‘At Rangers we played in the Champions League and then dropped into the europa League. I also played in the europa League with Aberdeen. so I know firsthand what a great experience it is to be involved in europe.
‘It is definitely in our sights now. We are in a position where hearts have to catch us. But we have five tough games coming up, starting at Pittodrie.’