Craig Levein has admitted that Steven MacLean enjoys grabbing opponents in the genitals.
Yesterday the Hearts striker was offered a two match suspension by the SFA for his attack on Eboue Kouassi and will miss matches against Celtic and Kilmarnock although he can play against Hibs tonight.
Sunday’s grabbing incident appears to be treated as a joke by a number of people with Levein struggling to keep a straight face as he answered questions on MacLean’s actions.
“Steven says he’s been doing it for years,” the Hearts boss told The Sun. “I did have a wee chuckle at that — he just seems to like doing it!
“I can’t say anything to him without laughing but we’ve had a chat about it. I think he knows he can’t do that.
“We knew they changed the rules in the summer and we’ll just have to deal with the situation when it arises.”
Levein may not be having a chuckle about it on Saturday as he sends out a team with MacLean and Steven Naismith to face Celtic.
With Uche Ikpeazu out injured until the new year Hearts will have to rely on the 36-year-old former St Johnstone striker to get them through a hectic stage of the season.
After the match on Sunday MacLean claimed that his attack on Kouassi was just a bit of fun.
CLICK HERE for Gerrard prepares the ground for walking away.
