Robbie Neilson’s nightmare week has continued with the Hearts boss bringing in the John Guidetti incident of November 2014 to justify Jamie Walker’s dive for a penalty against Celtic.
After the controversial game on Sunday the Hearts boss revealed that he didn’t know that the SFA were open on Saturday’s to register new signings or that injured players didn’t have to leave the pitch if their opponent was booked or sent off.
As he prepared for tonight’s Betfred Cup tie against St Johnstone Neilson decided to revisit a penalty incident almost two years ago involving John Guidetti- for good measure that penalty was also given in a similar part of the pitch. After the game at Tynecastle Walker explained that there was contact with Tierney so he went down.
Clutching at straws while defending Walker, Neilson said: “We looked at the same incident in the same corner two years ago, with Guidetti.
“He said he slipped and didn’t get banned. Well, there is contact on Walker, he goes down, it’s a penalty kick.
“For me, if you go for a tackle in the box and miss the ball and there is any contact on the player then the player’s momentum is broken and he has to go down it’s a penalty.”
Unfortunately for Neilson Guidetti didn’t say a word after the penalty at Tynecastle. Celtic were wise enough to keep him away from the cameras and microphones.
Getting a story together and sticking to it is a smart idea. Inverness Caley Thistle managed it with Josh Meekings who picked up a Scottish Cup winners medal by playing the rules.
While Neilson attempts to convince himself that Walker slipped the player has claimed that there WAS contact with Tierney causing him to fall dramatically in the penalty box!
After the match the Daily Record reported Walker saying: “I felt contact. I knocked the ball on and I just saw him coming out the corner of my eye and I felt contact so I went down.
“Kieran Tierney did go to try and clear the ball and I felt contact. The referee pointed to the spot and I put it away. At the end of the day I’m not the referee and I don’t give the decisions. He gave the penalty.”
As Hearts prepare their slip/Guidetti story for their appeal tomorrow they may reflect on Walker’s comments and withdraw the appeal, after he has played in tonight’s match against St Johnstone.
CLICK HERE for Brendan’s 4-4-2 to beat Motherwell tonight.
