Johnny Russell keen for Cup return against Celtic

JOHNNY Russell has refused to rule himself out of Dundee United’s Scottish Cup semi-final with Celtic, despite fracturing his leg in last week’s game against Inverness Caley Thistle.

The United striker, who has scored 13 goals this season, is wearing a protective cast to speed his recovery. His recovery time has been revised to between four and six weeks, but Russell reckons he can make it back in time for the Cup semi in mid-April.

The 22-year-old said: “The Scottish cup semi-final against Celtic looks like something to aim for. It’s in the middle of April and this is still just the start of March, so who knows? I’ll certainly be doing everything I can to make sure I’m fit.”

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The striker admitted he did not know his leg was fractured until a week after the game, when he failed to pass fit for the Dundee derby. The fracture was eventually revealed on a precautionary X-ray taken on Monday.

Russell said: “It was a tough one to take, especially now we are coming to the business end of the season, but I’ve just got to keep my chin up.”