Craig: I’ve still to make a call on cock-up Col
CRAIG LEVEIN is yet to decide whether Colin Doyle will retain the Hearts No.1 spot after the keeper’s costly error in the defeat to Motherwell.
The Republic of Ireland international allowed David Turnbull’s tame injury-time free-kick to squirm past him into the net in the 2-1 loss at Fir Park on Sunday.
Doyle, who had pulled off a series of fine saves, apologised to his team-mates after the match before expressing his regret in a tweet, saying: “No excuses. I cost us a point. I’ll learn from it and move on.”
The 33-year-old has been the recognised No.1 since he replaced Zdenek Zlamal on December 22, keeping six clean sheets in 10 appearances.
But Tynecastle gaffer Levein is now weighing up whether to recall Zlamal for Saturday’s clash with St Mirren in Gorgie.
Levein said: “I don’t need to speak to Colin, he’s an experienced goalkeeper and he knows he made a mistake.
“There’s no point going over it. I haven’t made my mind up about the team for the weekend yet.
“The good thing is I’ve BY GREIG THOMAS got a choice between two experienced goalkeepers. If he was a young boy I’d be more concerned about him having made a mistake but the experienced guys tend to deal with it better.
“He’s not made many mistakes for us. Whenever people make mistakes you hope it doesn’t cost you but unfortunately this one cost us a point.
“Other people have made mistakes that have cost us points in the season as well.
“It’s just something that happens within a season’s worth of football.”
Levein, meanwhile, admits his opinion of Ben Garuccio’s red card for a tackle on Liam Grimshaw hasn’t changed despite Sportscene pundits Michael Stewart and Steven Thompson saying the challenge was fair.
He said: “I didn’t think there was any point in appealing it. The rules are pretty clear. He’s left the ground so I couldn’t see us winning an appeal.
“Ten years ago we’d have won it on the basis he won the ball. But I have been involved in enough cases to know when it’s worth an appeal and when not.”