Naismith can face Hibs as Brown tackle is reviewed
Hearts attacker Steven Naismith will be free to face Hibs tomorrow night even though Scottish FA compliance officer Tony Mcglennan is looking into the Scotland internationalist’s challenge on Scott Brown.
The on-loan Norwich City player appeared to stand on the grounded Brown’s leg as the pair challenged for the ball on the far-side touchline in the first half of Sunday’s 3-1 victory for Celtic at Tynecastle.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers branded the incident “shocking” and claimed Naismith had deliberately followed through.
Referee Bobby Madden took no action at the time but Mcglennan is now examining footage to see if there is a case to answer.
A potential two-match ban for serious foul play, however, would not be processed before Wednesday’s Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle, leaving Naismith free to face Neil Lennon’s side.
Rodgers said it was a “shocking chakllenge” by Naismith.
“You only need to see it. The ball was gone and the follow through is there to see,” Rodgers told BBC Scotland.
“The ball was well gone and it wasn’t just late, it was very late. It will be just interesting to see what the authorities make of that.”
New Hearts signing Bobby Burns cannot wait to sample the atmosphere at Tynecastle after completing his move from Glenavon.
The 18-year-old will join the Jambos on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee in the summer.
Burns, who is primarily a left-back but can also play further up the pitch, has already made more than 50 appearances for Glenavon and won the club’s young player of the year award.
The Northern Ireland Under-21 cap’s rise has seen him train with his country’s senior squad and he was also at Tynecastle on Sunday to see his new club lose 3-1 to Celtic, but he is relishing the chance to play in front of the home support.
“It was fantastic and we probably deserved more out of the game especially in the first half. We played really well and were unlucky not to go up 2-0,” he told Hearts TV. “It was a brilliant atmosphere and I can’t wait to play here. I’m a young player so it will be difficult to get into the first team, but I will give it everything I’ve got and see where it takes me.
“Hearts have a great record of playing young players so hopefully I will get my opportunity.”
Hearts first-team coach and Northern Ireland assistant Austin Macphee played an important role in attracting Burns to Edinburgh, and the youngsteradded:“there is a real Northern Ireland connection with Kyle Lafferty, Aaron Hughes and Michael Smith and with Austin, too.”