BY DARREN JOHNSTONE
Hearts have been handed a huge boost ahead of Wednesday’s League Cup visit of Celtic after learning that stand-in captain Blazej Augustyn will be available – despite being sent off on Saturday.
The central defender was shown a straight red card in the 48th minute of the 2-0 victory over Ross County after pulling back Liam Boyce as the striker bore down on goal.
Referee Alan Muir decided that the County marksman was denied an obvious goal scoring opportunity.
Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson admitted after the match that the club would check with the Scottish FA whether the Pole would have to serve the one-match ban in the cup game or in the league.
Neilson has now been told that the centre-half will be eligible for the quarter-final clash, with the ban being served in Saturday’s trip to Partick Thistle.
Augustyn’s availability is a welcome fillip for Neilson with defenders Alim Ozturk and Juwon Oshaniwa currently sidelined through injury.
Augustyn tweeted: “The card that I was shown for a tactical foul eliminates me from one league match, so I can play in the League Cup against Celtic.”
