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Hearts striker faces Celtic ban

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SFA football newsHearts look like being without Ryan Stevenson for the visit to Celtic on January 19.

Yesterday the SFA issued a notice of complain offering a two match ban following his two footed lunge at James McPake during the derby clash with Hibs.

The incident was ignored by Willie Collum but has been picked up by Vincent Lunny, the SFA’s compliance officer.

Stevenson has until 3pm today to appeal against the charge of ‘serious foul play on an opponent’ otherwise the two match ban will see him miss the game against Celtic followed by the League Cup semi-final with Inverness Caley Thistle.

After the incident Hibs defender Ryan McGivern said: “It was a disgusting tackle. I’ve seen it back on the replay and the ref has said the two boys were going for it.

“But if you see it back on the TV, Stevenson has had a little look and he’s going to try and do him.

“I think the referee has had a wee bit of a stinker there by letting that one go. It’s definitely a red-card tackle.

“James is the type of guy who’s not going to make a fuss and although he said to the ref it was a two-footed lunge, everyone has seen it except him.

“He’s got quite a nasty cut on his leg but it’s over and done with and we leave here quite happy at still being unbeaten against them.”

Defending his challenge Stevenson said: “It was 50-50 and the ball was there to be won. I went in hard but in my mind I went in fair too. It may not look great in slow motion but my only intention was to win the ball, nothing else.”

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0 comments

  • Joe Murray says:

    Lying Hun scumbag, you went to do the boy. That’s your audition for third division football, this time next year fat Sally (if he’s still in a job) will come current.

  • sands1888 says:

    All the scum like him are destined for the animals, it really is the gathering point for all the dregs of society, players and fans alike

  • williebhoy says:

    I think both players were looking to go in hard to get either the ball and / or the man. It was a nothing position wide on the touchline, Stevenson could easily have drawn up and got the throw-in which was probably the best he was going to get (Unless taking the brunt of the tackle, a foul and possible red card for the Hibs guy).

    Deserves a 2 game ban for his own stupidity jumping in two footed. If he did win the ball then no way could the ref play on, nor would he be in a position to chase after it.

    Both tried it on, he caught the guy should put his hands up and take the ban – Ref should be reprimanded for missing a blatant foul though, should have been a red card. Now though Celtic & some other club will benefit while Hibs miss the chance to play v 10 men.

    Lucky he didn’t do real damage to the Hibs player though, very poor attempt at a “tackle” I’d give him more than 2 games for lying about it. Credit to the Hibs player who could easily have made a meal of it though.

  • barcabuster says:

    A 2 match ban for both Kevin Wilson and Ryan Stevenson. In the case of Wilson, an accidental elbow to the face as he tried to break free from Baird who was trying to impede Wilson, and, fair enough to Baird, was man enough to admit to. A football incident classed as ” handbags”. In the case of Stevenson on McPake, even without the benefit of slowmo or replay, to all who witnessed, this was an attempt to “do” McPake with a potentially career threatening crunch. Classed as a leg-breaker. Both incidents went unpunished by the whistler. In the case of Wilson, it was off the ball, and unnoticed by the ref. As such, he can take no action, and as far as Baird is concerned, to his credit, the end of the matter. The Stevenson incident was smack bang in front of the ref, and left McPake still very angry! How can a 2 match ban be justified in both cases?

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