NICHOLSON WRONG BUT HE’S NOT ‘THE DEVIL’

IAN CATHRO has confirmed Hearts will discipline Sam Nicholson privately after the midfielder spat towards a linesman — but hopes he isn’t branded ‘the devil’. Hearts did not appeal Nicholson’s red card and he has a two-match ban, which rules him out of today’s home match against Dundee and Friday’s trip to Kilmarnock. ‘It’s something I will deal with privately,’ said boss Cathro. ‘Sam’s recognised his mistake. He has apologised to his team-mates and to me. He is guilty of a stupid action. He recognises it. ‘Let’s not take it too far. It was foolish, it was stupid, it’s a mistake. ‘But it’s important it doesn’t get dragged on too far and all of a sudden we’re calling him the devil as that’s not true either.’