Johnson sorry for loss of temper

Johnson has been disciplined by the St Andrews club

Birmingham skipper Damien Johnson has apologised for throwing his armband and shirt to the ground after being substituted against Crystal Palace.

"When the subs were read out, there was a huge cheer," said the 27-year-old.

"I took that to mean the fans were glad I was being taken off and, after more than four years of service, that hurt.

"I have been told I misread the reaction of the crowd and, if that is the case, I am sorry and I hope the supporters can appreciate that."

He added: "I give Birmingham City my complete dedication and will continue to do so and I hope that my passion on the field can show everybody that I totally mean what I am saying.

"Once again I wholeheartedly apologise."

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce has disciplined the midfielder and, in a statement on the club's website, he added: "He wears his heart on his sleeve.

"We also know he has a red flash and a bit of a temper which we saw on Saturday.

"I truly believe he wrongly read the crowd's reaction but nobody likes to see what he did, and he has apologised to me, his team-mates and now, most importantly, the fans."