APPEAL OVER shAnks DIVE thROwn Out
HEARTS have lost their appeal against Lawrence Shankland’s booking for diving in last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Ross County.
The Jambos skipper was penalised by referee Grant Irvine after going down in the box under a challenge from Ryan Leak with the Staggies two goals up.
Video replays appeared to show contact but Irvine awarded the home side a foul and issued a yellow card to Shankland.
Hearts submitted a “wrongful caution” appeal but a tribunal at Hampden yesterday backed Irvine’s decision, meaning the yellow card stands.
An SFA statement read: “Claim dismissed. Commits an act of simulation; the sanction is re-imposed with immediate effect.
“A £500 fee forfeited to be paid within 30 days.”
A Jambos statement read: “Heart of Midlothian is surprised to learn that the club’s appeal has been dismissed.
“The opposing player’s knee can clearly be seen connecting with Lawrence’s thigh, which we highlighted as evidence at the appeal.
“The club will learn the reasoning behind the dismissal later this week, at which point we may comment further.”
It’s the second time the Jambos have appealed a booking handed out to one of their players against County this season. Back in December, Alan Forrest had his caution for going down in the box after a challenge from keeper Ross Laidlaw revoked. Meanwhile, Barrie McKay will step up his Hearts return in a bounce game against Dundee this week. The winger has only made seven appearances this season, the last of those in the 1-0 win over Hibs on December 27.
McKay missed more than three months at the start of the campaign with a torn posterior cruciate ligament and has struggled with another knee injury.
Injured pair Scott Fraser and Yutaro Oda are also expected to get minutes in the friendly against Tony Docherty’s side during the international break.
But it comes too early for Liam Boyce, Craig Halkett and Peter Haring, who is set for surgery on his knee.
Boss Steven Naismith said: “We have some lads just back on the pitch like McKay, Fraser and Oda.
“There are boys who could probably do with a good few minutes in the game, so it will be a bit different for each of them.”
With Hearts looking good for third spot, chair Ann Budge is adamant investing in the squad takes priority over building a big bank balance.
She said: “All of the money that comes in will continue to be spent because we’re not a bank and we’re not looking to build up a war chest.
“We will be spending on the players to make us stronger, I hope.”