THE dad of former Saints star Rickie Lambert has been sacked from his job at a warehouse days before his son will play in the World Cup.

It is understood Ray Lambert, 54, lost his job after breaking a glass panel on a vending machine while trying to retrieve a £1 cup of coffee, which he claims was an accident.

Ray, a father of three, was then escorted out of the Matalan distribution warehouse by security guards.

Daily Echo: Rickie Lambert is unveiled by Liverpool. Photo: Liverpool FC

Ex-Saint Rickie recently completed a move back to hometown club Liverpool

He is said to be ‘fuming’ over the dismissal from the £20,000-a-year job and is due to fly out to Brazil next week with wife Maureen, 57 to watch son Rickie, who recently completed a £4m move back to his hometown club.

It completes a rags to riches journey for the ex-Saints striker who fired the club to two consecutive promotions from League One to the Premiership.

Ray had worked for the company for 10 years and is considering appealing the sacking.

Former colleagues have slammed the decision, describing it as “pathetic” and the reasons for dismissal “trivial”.

Daily Echo: Liverpool have completed the signing of Southampton striker Rickie Lambert

Rickie has scored three goals in six games for England

But Matalan said there had been “substantial damage to company property” and confirmed he was dismissed for “gross misconduct”.

Ray and Maureen live in Kirkby, Liverpool, less than half a mile from the warehouse.

They plan to watch Rickie play against Uruguay and Costa Rica.