Hearts boss appeals for self-control from players

Published on Tuesday 8 December 2009 08:52

HEARTS manager Csaba Laszlo today appealed for self-control from his players following Sunday's scenes at Hamilton, stressing that cool heads are essential to achieve his target of six points from the next two matches against Dundee United and Celtic.

Five red cards in total were administered to the Edinburgh side at New Douglas Park, including the club masseur, although club officials yesterday submitted an appeal against Michael Stewart's dismissal for violent conduct. He will be available to face United unless the appeal is heard and rejected by the Scottish Football Association before Saturday.

Laszlo is targeting victories over United this weekend and Celtic on Sunday week in an effort to reinvigorate his depleted side. He demanded calmness and composure whilst trying to put together a team minus a raft of suspended players.

"I hope on Saturday we have a team on the field to beat Dundee United, this is an important game," he said. "About the other things, I can't say nothing. I try to work on football and nothing more, this is my job.

"We have two games at home against Dundee United and Celtic and we must take all six points. The first seven teams in the league are very close to each other and it is not so far to go up to the best six.

"We lost against Rangers at Tynecastle and then St Johnstone this season. At Tynecastle, in the next two games, it is definitely necessary to have a cool head. We must use our brains."

Stewart, issued a red card by referee David Somers for violent conduct against Hamilton's Alex Neil, hopes video evidence will clear him of any wrongdoing.

"I hope that the Scottish FA will annul the red card I received," he said. "I strongly believe TV evidence shows that I did not commit any act of violent conduct as reported by the referee."

Should the appeal fail, the midfielder will begin a three-match ban this weekend for breaching the SFA's 18-point disciplinary threshold and for his poor disciplinary record last season.

Hearts are also considering some kind of action in defence of Ian Black and Suso, who were issued retrospective red cards for their part in the post-match tunnel escapade. Black is facing a three-game suspension for using "offensive and insulting abusive language" in the tunnel at full-time and, according to SFA rules, has no right of appeal.

He will miss forthcoming matches against Dundee United, Celtic and Falkirk.

Spanish winger Suso is banned for the United and Celtic fixtures having been reported for violent conduct following his tunnel altercation with Hamilton's Leon Knight, who was also reported for the same offence.

Ismael Bouzid, dismissed by Somers for two bookable offences, misses Saturday's encounter with United but will be available against Celtic.

"Any action taken is based on what is included in the referee's report and that appears to be very straight-forward," said an SFA spokesperson. "We don't see any further reason for further investigation as the procedures allow us to deal with the matter as we would normally through the avenues already in place."

The SFA disciplinary committee convene for their mid-season analysis on 26 January. They are certain to invoke a 10,000 suspended fine on Hearts for their disciplinary record as they have incurred seven red cards during the first half of the season.

Meanwhile, the fourth official who witnessed the disorder at New Douglas Park will take charge when Dundee United visit Tynecastle on Saturday. Euan Norris, who helped referee Somers compile Sunday's report, has been appointed to referee the game.