BY IAIN COLLIN – Capital City Press
Hearts have wasted no time in lodging their appeal with the SFA in a bid to overturn Callum Paterson’s contentious red card from the weekend.
The Tynecastle outfit had until 3 p.m. on Monday to inform the governing body of their intention to appeal and until the same time today (Tuesday) to lodge the necessary paperwork.
However, so convinced were they of their case against the dismissal dished out by Willie Collum in the 77th minute of their 3-2 defeat to Hamilton Accies on Saturday, it is understood the Jambos got the ball rolling as early as possible.
Officials from the Gorgie outfit were in contact with the SFA yesterday morning to establish that Paterson had been sent-off by Collum for ‘serious foul play’ following his robust challenge on Accies midfielder Darian MacKinnon.
That allowed them complete their dossier and make what they hope will be the first move in trying to have the red card – and the resulting two-match suspension – rescinded.
A disciplinary tribunal will now convene at Hampden on Thursday to hear Hearts’ case.
The Edinburgh club are also, however, bracing themselves for contact from the SFA’s compliance officer Tony McGlennan following comments from head coach Robbie Neilson in the wake of Saturday’s match.
Neilson revealed he had prepared his players for a red card after discovering Collum would be the referee and insisted the game had been ‘ruined by a decision that is not a sending-off’.
McGlennan is understood to be reviewing Neilson’s comments and those of Inverness Caley Thistle manager John Hughes regarding his side’s referee at the weekend, Andrew Dallas.
Neilson found himself in trouble with the SFA during the close-season when he was censured for ‘misconduct by using offensive, insulting and abusive language’ during the 2-2 draw with Rangers on May 2.
@IainCollin
