Dermot Gallagher sets the record straight for Andy Walker over Tynecastle ‘drama’

Dermot Gallagher has provided reason and balance to the red card decision at Tynecastle yesterday that ruined the game for Andy Walker.

When Alex Cochrane fouled Daizen Maeda in the closing minutes of the first half Nick Walsh’s initial decision was to award a yellow card.

The Hearts defender had found himself exposed as Maeda raced in off the right wing, with Zander Clark retreating it was clearly a goal scoring opportunity.

Walsh opted for yellow, his assistant who was close to the incident kept quiet but quickly it became apparent that Willie Collum was double checking in the VAR studio.

It all seemed inevitable, Walsh went over to the monitor, the yellow card was replaced by a red with Celtic given a huge advantage with the Laws of the Game correctly applied.

For Hearts it was unfortunate, for Sky Sports neutrals the prospect of an upset was greatly reduced but the Laws are very clear on these situations as Gallagher explained on Sky Sports:

Football Scotland reported Walker saying:

It doesn’t matter what colour the strip is. If you can keep a player on the pitch out there, why don’t you?

I don’t think, if Nick Walsh had kept the yellow card, there would have been many complaints. It’s ruined the game.

Cochrane was also sent off earlier in the season in a 2-0 defeat at Celtic Park.