Lothian Thistle HV goalkeeper Kevin Swain admits his dream of facing boyhood heroes Celtic in the Scottish Cup has become a nightmare after breaking his arm.
Swain has been ruled out of tomorrow’s fourth round tie at East Kilbride after suffering the horrific injury just 60 seconds into Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Heriot-Watt University in an East of Scotland League clash.
And the 30-year-old is devastated that he has been been sidelined again after missing Spartans’ fifth round replay loss at Berwick Rangers last season due to a freak eye injury.
Swain admits his latest set-back is even harder to take given that Celtic are awaiting the winners of Wednesday’s clash.
Swain said: “It was the same as last year when I was at Spartans, you get a nice we run going and then all of a sudden I get injured when it comes to these big games, it’s a jinx – that’s exactly what it is.
“It’s gutting knowing I’ll be out, especially being a Celtic fan.
“Hopefully the guys can still do it and get through.
“It will just be the same for me watching them as playing, it would be a great achievement if we can get there.
“I’ll just have to be a cheer leader for the next few months.”
Swain, who missed last February’s defeat at Berwick for Spartans when his eye got accidentally scratched when he came for a corner just days before the Shielfeld clash, added: “I broke my arm in literally the first minute against Heriot-Watt.
“I got caught by their striker but it was a 50/50, there was no malice in it.
“It was the worst pain I’ve ever felt. I couldn’t move and I could feel my hand swelling up in my glove.
“I’ve got to go back to the hospital again in a couple of weeks and get more x-rays as they said I might have to get pins put in as it might not heal properly.”
