ZACH HEMMING has revealed he’s playing with a fracture in his FACE — but the biggest pain was his young son’s reaction.
St Mirren No 1 Hemming was injured in the dying moments of the home defeat to St Johnstone three weeks ago.
Zach Hemming revealed his painful injury – and what boss Stephen Robinson said after his sign at the darts[/caption]
He was injured against St Johnstone – then suffering again against Hibs (above)[/caption]
But he had some fun with boss Robbo – and his son Harry[/caption]
The on-loan keeper has rejected the offer of a protective mask for games and will bravely play on against Rangers at Ibrox this afternoon.
But he says five-year-old son Riven has taken the injury much worse than him — and even switched off last week’s goalless draw with Hibs.
Hemming, 24, said: “It’s all right now. I’ve just got a lump and it is still hurting.
“I thought it was going to be worse than it actually was at first. I thought it was going to be my cheekbone because my eye shut up.
“It’s just a little fracture across the nose, which is better than what I feared.
“I did get asked by the physio about a mask but they said if it falls down in the game, it would be a nightmare to get back up. I said just to leave it.
“I just need to let it heal itself and keep on playing and hopefully I don’t get another knock on it.
“My eldest hates anything like those injuries.
“He hates blood and anything like that and when I came out I had blood all over my nose and it was running down everywhere. He hated it.
“He hated it on Sunday as well. He was watching the game on the television because he had a football match.
“He couldn’t watch it after I went down again.
“When he plays football, he tackles anyone and is as dirty as anything but when I get injured he doesn’t like it.”
Hemming ignored his facial knock to enjoy a night out at the Premier League darts at the Hydro in Glasgow nine days ago.
And the TV cameras caught him holding a fun banner with the words ‘Robbo Out’ as he savoured a laugh with boss Stephen Robinson’s son Harry.
Hemming explained: “The manager was joking about it as his son was at the darts too.
“It was a nice laugh and joke and then I had to do the coffee runs twice in a row!
“I got tickets from the Leyton Orient owner, who owns a bit of the PDC.
Bad behaviour
BY DAVID OLIVER
STEPHEN ROBINSON could joke about Zach Hemming’s cheeky sign – but PDC bosses took a dim view of some other fans’ actions at the Hydro this month.
DARTS organisers blasted the Scottish crowd who jeered Luke Humphries on the oche.
Match referee Kirk Bevins even had to tell the crowd to stop WHISTLING as the world number one – up against reigning champion Luke Littler – threw at the Hydro.
The pair – world finalists in 2024 – were in the ninth leg of their deciding match on the Grand Prix circuit’s second date.
Humphries had won the first night in Belfast and held his nerve in the controversial leg, but ultimately lost the match to the teen darts sensation.
Reacting to the referee’s warning where he declared the score and yelled “Stop whistling” at a section of the Hyrdo crowd, Sky Sports co-commentator Wayne Mardle joked: “That person needs to be careful – Kirk can do kung-fu.”
But the PDC had a much more serious message: “
the PDC wishes to strongly reiterate that it does not condone any behaviour which can disrupt an event, such as whistling or booing when players are throwing.
“Every player goes on stage with the intention of performing to the best of their ability and providing an entertaining spectacle for all fans, whether in the venue or watching worldwide.
“As per the terms and conditions of entry to events, spectators who act inappropriately can be removed from the venue.
“The PDC works closely with Premier League venues, who have responsibility for crowd control, to take proactive and decisive action against those who behave inappropriately.
“The vast majority of fans who attend our sell-out events on a regular basis also condemn this behaviour and we will continue to promote a positive atmosphere which gives all players the opportunity to play to the best of their ability in every match.”
“I had tickets for the World Championships but that was the day I signed for St Mirren and I couldn’t go.
“He said he would put them in Glasgow instead and I told Harry I had two more tickets.”
Hemming returned to Paisley at the end of January for a second loan spell from parent club Middlesbrough.
His future beyond the summer remains unclear — but he says Riven and the rest of the family have their hearts set on staying in Scotland.
He said: “I think if it was down to the kids and the wife, they would stay 100 per cent.
“But I have just got to see what Middlesbrough say about it all.
“I still have a year left at the club so I just need to wait until the end of the season to see what happens then.”
Buddies, who lie in sixth place in the table, go to Ibrox today chasing a first away victory over Rangers since Kevin McGowne netted a dramatic winner in 1991.
They are buoyed by the 2-1 home success over Gers on Boxing Day — a game that came before Hemming’s return to the club.
Hemming has a fracture in his face[/caption]
But the worst thing was his son’s reaction to the gruesome knock[/caption]
And the keeper is eager for the first win of his career over one of the Old Firm.
He added: “Last year we put in really good performances against the Old Firm teams.
“It is just about getting over the line and getting a win.
“The boys will put a good shift in on Saturday, then we will need to rest and recover and go again on Wednesday against Hearts.
“We are all relishing the challenge over the next few games.
“They are tough games but we have been putting in great performances over the last few weeks so we are ready.
“Let’s hope we do it the next few weeks and get a few good performances and wins.”
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