Meekings gives Celtic fans a big hand for all their support

JOSH MEEKINGS last night lifted the lid on his “handballgate” hell and thanked Celtic fans for supporting him through his ordeal!

Meekings faced missing the Scottish Cup Final after being hit by the SFA with a retrospective ban for blocking a Celtic goal with his hand in the semi-final.

FIFA Vice President Jim Boyce slammed the decision to charge the Inverness star, warning it would open up a can of worms for the game.

And the path was subsequently cleared for the Englishman to play in the Final after the charge brought by compliance officer Tony McGlennan was thrown out by a three-man panel on Thursday.

Speaking after Inverness’ defeat to Aberdeen yesterday, he thanked fans for their support.

And he brushed off an apparent fresh SFA cock-up after, seemingly incorrectly, being listed as suspended for the Dons’ visit.

He said: “Someone told me before the game about the list and asked how many yellows I had, but I didn’t have that many.

“I was a bit confused, but it has been a long week and a lot of mistakes but the decision has been made and I’m able to play in the Final.

“I am absolutely delighted with that and I can’t wait to play in it now.

“There was support all over Scotland. Everyone was on Twitter, it was brilliant.

“Fans from every single club were Tweeting me and all the comments from managers were brilliant.

“There were even messages from Celtic fans – I don’t think the letter they put in was to do with me being banned or anything like that. I have nothing against them.

“They were very supportive and I can’t thank them enough along with everyone involved trying to get this turned around.”

The 22-year-old’s relief was palpable last night. But he admitted the furore surrounding his case grew so intense, he was unsure how it would play out.

“I am not going to lie. I didn’t know what was going to happen,” he said. “I have never been in a situation like that before.

“It was all new to me. But I can take it positively and concentrate on my football again now.

“It has been everywhere and I didn’t imagine it to get that big after the game.

“On Sunday, I thought that was it. I said my piece and people have had their.

“It turned out to be much bigger than that though but I am just absolutely delighted the decision has been made now.”

Should he be picked for final, Meekings admitted it will be a career highlight. He only hopes there are no more shocks in store.

He said: “It is fantastic being able to play in the Final and it will be the biggest day of my career.

“Hopefully, I will be selected and out there playing. I want to stay injury free between now and the end of the season.”