Glentoran new boy Bobby Burns insists he apportions no blame on Coleraine striker James McLaughlin for Saturday’s double leg break at the Showgrounds.
McLaughlin, who was red carded for his crunching second half challenge, was said to be “distraught” after Burns was stretchered off with a broken Tibia and Fibula.
It was a sickening blow for the former Hearts left-back who only returned home to sign on loan for the Glens from English League Two club Barrow four weeks ago.
Burns has revealed he faces a “long road to recovery” but added: “No hard feelings at all to James. He’s a great lad and I have no doubt it was an honest tackle.”
The 21-year-old also said he had been touched by the number of messages of support and goodwill from across the Irish League.
On his Twitter account, he wrote: “Absolutely devastated to get a double leg break in the tibia and fibula.
“Long road to recovery but looking forward to getting stuck into the rehab and coming back better than ever next season.
“No hard feelings at all to James. He’s a great lad and I have no doubt it was an honest tackle to play the ball.
“Just want to say a huge thanks to everyone for all the messages of support. I’ve been overwhelmed by your kindness and will do my best to get back to everyone soon.
“Special thanks to Dr Peter Reid, everyone at the Causeway (Hospital), Royal Victoria and Glentoran and Coleraine football clubs for the great level of care and support.”
On Saturday, Coleraine boss Oran Kearney told Radio Ulster that McLaughlin had been left “distraught” by Burns’ injury during the Bannsiders' 2-1 win.
“I spoke to James in the changing room and he is distraught,” said Kearney.
“He is a hard player and gives as good as he gets, but he has never tried to hurt anyone during my time at Coleraine and I will stand over him from that point of view.
“He is disappointed in there and will take some consoling.”
